few even of the
highest rank could neither read nor write.

My father, I may here say, had half consented that I should join Don
Juan's troop, and had given leave to Mr Laffan to act as he felt
inclined.

The enemy had now got within three leagues of the city. Some deserters
who came in--or rather, I should say, some Liberals who had made their
escape from the Royalist ranks--informed us that they were not at all
prepared for the resistance they would meet with, as they were not aware
that the city was so strongly fortified and garrisoned.

Each night we went to bed expecting that the next day might be that of
battle; but I was one morning awakened by hearing all the bells in the
city ringing. I jumped up, and going to Mr Laffan's room, found him
dressed, and in the act of buckling on his sword--afterwards sticking a
brace of pistols in his belt.

"I intend to join Don Juan," he said; "if I fall, Duncan, you will not
forget the instruction I have given you. Good-bye, my boy; do you stay
quietly at home."

"Not if I can help it," I answered. "Wait but five minutes. My father
will not refuse me permission to assist in defending the walls."

I was quickly ready, and came downstairs to find my father.

"You cannot let me play a girl's part and stay at home!" I exclaimed.
"Do let me go."

"I am afraid I should not be right in hindering you. May Heaven protect
you!" answered my father.

"Thank you, thank you," I replied, as if the greatest possible favour
had been granted me; and I set off with Mr Laffan.

Mounting our horses, we rode to the lines, near which we found Juan's
troops.

"I hope we shall have an opportunity of making a sortie," exclaimed the
dominie; "we will put the Spaniards to the right-about if we get the
chance of taking them in flank."

While our servants held the horses, we went into the nearest battery,
from whence we could see the Spaniards advancing to the attack. By the
way in which they came on, it was clear that they expected to enter an
unwalled town; and our batteries were so concealed that the enemy did
not discover their existence until close up to them, when we opened upon
them with every gun at once. Their artillery replied, but their shot
struck our embankments; while ours flew into the midst of their ranks,
creating confusion and dismay. Their infantry, however, advanced,
firing rapidly, and several of the defenders were hit; but this only
increased the ardour of the