yne theire greate
gunnes; but lying beyond the ditch, and being of such bulke and weight,
all our strength could not bringe them off before the whole army had
fallen upon us; however, our men took tyme to poyson all the cannon
round, if anything will doe the feate, Capt. Rawstorne still defending
the first passe ag^t some offers of the enemy to come up by the wood."

It was near the conclusion of this affray, as Mr Broome, the steward,
and several of his helpers, were encompassing the great dragon which had
so often vomited forth fire and smoke upon them, intending to carry it
away captive, that they heard a voice from the breach below:--

"Hold, ye uncircumcised:--I will make your house desolate, and the glory
thereof shall be turned into ashes."

The mortar was ready charged, and they beheld Gideon, with a lighted
match, springing towards them. Several of the men drew aside in dismay;
but as Providence willed it, he was prevented from his purpose, the
light being struck from his hand, and himself tumbled backwards into a
deep and muddy ditch, extinguishing both light and life apparently
together. But he arose, and would have run a tilt at them in this
unsavoury condition, had he not been caught by one of his enemies, who
waggishly exclaimed--

"Let us yoke this great Amalekite to the gun. He'll help us well over
the ditch."

This goodly piece of advice was not neglected; and the unhappy Gideon,
fastened between two yoke-fellows, was dragged on by main force, the
hindmost threatening to shoot him if he made any resistance.

In vain did he cry out for vengeance upon them. His gods were deaf--no
miracle was wrought for his deliverance; and though he would have called
down fire from heaven upon his adversaries, the thunders he impiously
desired died harmless on his own tongue.

We again quote the words of the journal:--

"This action continued an houre, with the loss of two men on our part,
who, after they were mortally wounded, still fired upon the enemy, till
all retreating. What number of the enemy were slain it is not easy to
guesse. Besides the execuc'on done in their trenches, Capt. Farmours and
Capt. Rattcliffes reserves, w^th the best marksmen, played upon them
from the walls with much slaughter, as they quitt theire holds. Our men
brought in many armes, three drums, and but five prisoners, preserved by
Capt. Chisnall to show that he had mercy as well as valour. One of
theese was an assistant to their eng