sts, crying out that the king's army was
coming. In an instant all was uproar and confusion, the trenches were
cleared, and happy was he that came foremost in the rout.

Rigby clasped on his sword-belt which he had doffed for the night.
Springing on his horse, he met some of the runaways, whom he forced
back, hoping by their means to stem the main torrent. But, lo! in the
very height of the panic, appeared another and more direful intruder--an
avenue of fire seemed to extend from the walls to their own trench. It
appeared as though the enemy had by some unaccountable means formed in a
double line from the fortress, illuminated rank and file as if by
magic--flinging their torches by one simultaneous and well-concerted
movement into the air with great order and regularity.

Had a legion from the puissant army of Beelzebub been approaching,
their terror could not have been greater. Yet fear kept many from
escaping, while they knew not which way to run for safety. Rigby in the
nick of time galloped up to this awful and hostile appearance, crying
out to his troops that he would soon demolish the bugbear. This saying
encouraged some of the runaways, who followed him to the combat.
Approaching within a sword's length, for he was not deficient either in
hardihood or valour, he made a furious stroke right in the face of this
flaming apparition, when down it fell, revealing its own harmlessness
and their cowardice.

Taking advantage of the panic which followed the lighted horse, a few of
the garrison had thrown a cord covered with matches and other
combustibles round a tree, close to the enemy's camp; one end was
fastened near the walls, and the other was quickly carried back after
being passed round the tree. The whole on being lighted was swung to and
fro, producing the terrific appearance we have described.

Rigby was greatly mortified at this exploit; it seemed as though they
were become the jest and laughing-stock of the garrison.

Morgan at this moment galloped up in great dudgeon. The enemy had found
him a similar employment, he having twice bravely discharged his cannon,
loaded with cartridge and chain-shot, against two lighted matches thrust
into balls of clay that were thrown at him from the walls.

The leaders, provoked beyond measure, speedily assembled in council.
Egerton, who had the most influence, from the beginning had urged milder
measures, thinking to starve the enemy into submission; but Morgan,
Rigby, a