t marched out without arms,
they would blow their prisoners away from the mouth of the guns.

Then, for fear we had not heard it, he spurred his horse up to within
ten yards of the gate, and shouted it out again, so that every one could
hear it through the place; and, though I could have sent a bullet
through and through him, I could not help admiring the bold daring
fellow, riding up right to the muzzles of our pieces.

But all the admiration I felt was gone the next moment, as I thought of
the cruelties practised, and of those bound there to those gun-muzzles.

There was nothing said for a few minutes, for I expected the lieutenant
to speak; but as he did not, I turned to him and said: "If all was
ready, sir, I could drop one gunner; and I'd trust Measles--Sam Bigley--
to drop the other, when a bold dash might do it. You see they've
retired a good thirty yards, and we should only have twenty more to run
than they; while the surprise would give us that start. A good sharp
jack-knife would set the prisoners free, and a covering-party would
perhaps check the pursuit while we got in."

"We shall have to try it, Smith," he said, his breath coming thick and
fast with excitement; and then he seemed to turn white, for Miss Ross
and Lizzy came into the room.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

I should think it must have been the devil tempting Lieutenant Leigh, or
he would never have done as he did; for, as he looked at Miss Ross, the
change that came over him was quite startling. He could read all that
was passing in her heart; there was no need for her to lay her hand upon
his arm, and point with the other out of the window, as in a voice that
I didn't know for hers, she said: "Will you leave those two brave men
there to die, Lieutenant Leigh?"

He didn't answer for a moment, but seemed to be struggling with himself;
then, speaking as huskily as she did, he said: "Send away that girl!"
and before I could go to her--for I should have done it, then, I know--
and whisper a few words of hope, poor Lizzy went out, mourning for Harry
Lant, wringing her hands; and I stood at my post, a sentry by my
commander's orders, so that it was no spying on my part if I heard what
followed.

I believe Lieutenant Leigh fancied he was speaking in an undertone, when
he led Miss Ross away to a corner, and spoke to her; but this was
perhaps the most exciting moment in his life, and his voice rose in
spite of himself, so that I heard all