ing, only one here and there trying to rear
and plunge.

"We're caught, Frank lad. Think of nothing but keeping your seat. Take
out a pistol, and point it at the first man who tries to drag you from
your horse. Ah! I thought so."

Orders were passed along now to the dragoons to defend themselves, for
efforts were being made to drag some of the outside men from their
horses. Blades flashed on high, cut and point were given, and amidst
howlings and savage execrations blood began to flow.

And now, as if by magic, sticks and swords appeared among the crowd; men
who had forced their way under the horses' necks, or crept under them,
appeared everywhere; and amidst a deafening roar, as the seething mass
swayed here and there, Frank caught sight of two men busy just before
him, doing something with knives. One of the dragoons noticed it too,
and he leaned forward to make a thrust at one of the two; but as he bent
over his horse's neck a cudgel was raised, fell heavily across the back
of his neck, and he dropped forward, and was only saved from falling by
a comrade's help.

"They've cut the traces," said Captain Murray hoarsely. "It's an
organised attempt."

As he spoke men were rising amongst them; and, before Frank could
realise how it happened, a dozen filled up the little spaces about the
carriage, while moment by moment the dragoons were being rendered more
helpless. The blows they rained down were parried with swords; they
were dragged from their horses; and, in several cases, helped by their
fellows, men climbed up behind them, and pinioned their arms.

Organised indeed it seemed to be, for while the greater part of the
rioters devoted their attention to rendering the great escort helpless,
others kept on forcing their way till they had surrounded the carriages,
trusting to their companions to ward off the blows directed at them, but
in too many cases in vain.

Frank tried his best to remain near his father, but he was perfectly
helpless, and had to go as his horse was slowly forced along, till he
was several yards away from the carriage door, at which he could still
see the prisoner watching him as if thinking only of the safety of his
boy, while the captain was still farther away, using his pistol to keep
off attempts made to dismount him.

All attempts at combination were getting useless now for the troops, and
it was every man for himself; but the mob did not seem vindictive only
when some dragoon s