em into three divisions,
which were to attack simultaneously on different sides. Ernest led one,
Buttar another, and Frank commanded the third party in person. These
arrangements were made out of sight of the castle; and, to give more
effect to the attack, the army marched through the woods sounding their
horns, which were answered by a note of defiance from the castle.

"It is getting somewhat cold," exclaimed Buttar, who was practical in
his notions. "The fellows inside must be colder still, waiting for us.
All our valour will be frozen up. Let us begin to warm up our blood."

"Certainly, Colonel Buttar," answered Frank, laughing. "A very sensible
remark. On, brave army to the attack! Death or victory! Don't mind
the snowballs. Turn your heads into battering-rams, and your pockets
into arsenals, and the place will quickly be ours. Now, Colonels
Bracebridge and Buttar, lead round your men to the positions allotted to
you."

"Too-too-too!" sounded the horns louder than ever, and the three
divisions burst at the same moment out of the woods, and advanced to
take up their positions near where their ammunition had been piled up,
of the existence of which the defenders of the castle were supposed,
till that moment, not to be aware.

"Too-too-too!" again sounded the horns, and while a sentinel remained to
guard each pile of snowballs and their respective flag-staffs, the rest
of the army, having loaded themselves with ammunition, rushed bravely to
the attack. Then began a regular snow-storm. The besiegers and
besieged pelted away with tremendous energy, till the former were
covered with snow from head to foot, while the latter could scarcely
show their faces above the walls. Under cover of this heavy fire, or
rather snow-storm, Ernest attempted to cross the bridge, which had been
allowed to remain, and to force the door. He was followed closely by
Ellis and two other boys: but they were almost overwhelmed with the
heaps of snow showered down upon them. Still they battered away with
their fists and shoulders, as they were unprovided with other weapons;
but the door would not yield. In fact, it had been completely blocked
up from within, so that no force could have opened it. Meantime,
Buttar, by Frank's directions, was shelling the castle from a distance;
but as this produced no effect, and only supplied the besieged with
ammunition, he was ordered to draw near to assist in a general escalade.
Frank's pla