d securely ensconced behind his walls, will cut my brave boys to
pieces with his cannon before I can make a successful breach."

"You could throw up breastworks for your protection," suggested
Hansford.

"Aye, but I fear it would be building a stable after the horse was
stolen. With our small force we could not resist their guns while we
were constructing our fortifications. But I will try it by night, and we
may succeed. The d----d old traitor--if he would only meet me in open
field, I could make my way 'through twenty times his stop.'"

"Well, we must encounter some risk," replied Hansford. "I have great
hopes from the character of his recruits, too. Though they number much
more than ourselves, yet they serve without love, and in the present
exhausted exchequer of the colony, are fed more by promises than money."

"They are certainly not likely to be fed by _angels_," said Bacon, "as
some of the old prophets are said to have been. But, Hansford, an idea
has just struck me, which is quite a new manoeuvre in warfare, and
from which your ideas of chivalry will revolt."

"What is it?" asked Hansford eagerly.

"Why if it succeeds," returned Bacon, "I will warrant that Jamestown is
in our hands in twenty-four hours, without the loss of more blood than
would fill a quart canteen."

"Bravo, then, General, if you add such an important principle to the
stock of military tactics, I'll warrant that whispering demon lied, and
that you will retain both Glory and Duty in your service."

"I am afraid you will change your note, Thomas, when I develope my plan.
It is simply this--to detail a party of men to scour the country around
Jamestown, and collect the good dames and daughters of our loyal
councillors. If we take them with us, I'll promise to provide a secure
defence against the enemies' fire. The besieged will dare not fire a
gun so long as there is danger of striking their wives and children, and
we, in the meantime, secure behind this temporary breastwork, will
prepare a less objectionable defence. What think you of the plan,
Hansford?"

"Good God!" cried Hansford, "You are not in earnest General Bacon?"

"And why not?" said Bacon, in reply. "If such a course be not adopted,
at least half of the brave fellows behind us will be slaughtered like
sheep. While no harm can result to the ladies themselves, beyond the
inconvenience of a few hours' exposure to the night air, which they
should willingly endure to preserve li