morning did we consider that the house was placed in a proper
state of defence.

My mother and sisters, as well as my aunts and cousins, had rendered all
the assistance in their power, and they now begged that they might be
stationed in the upper part of the house, so as to throw stones on the
heads of the enemy should they approach the walls. To this, however, my
father and uncles would not consent, as they would thus be exposed to
the shot of our assailants.

"Your proper duty, ladies, will be to help me, should any of our
garrison be wounded," observed the doctor. "The fittest place will be
the centre of the house, where you yourselves will run the least risk of
being hurt. We cannot allow you to be exposed to danger, if it can be
avoided."

To this they somewhat unwillingly agreed; and our minds were greatly
relieved by believing that, as long as we could hold out, they would be
safe.

The command of the fortress was entrusted by my uncles to my father,
who, having seen so much fighting in his younger days, was considered
the best soldier of the party; while Uncle Denis and I acted as his
lieutenants.

The order was now given to those of the men who wished to do so to lie
down and rest, while we kept a look-out from the battlements,--for so I
may call the upper part of the house,--that the enemy might not take us
by surprise. It was, as I have said, a square, strongly-built stone
house, with a courtyard on one side, beyond which were several
out-buildings. Had we possessed a stronger force, these would have been
fortified and occupied; but, as it was, we had only men sufficient to
garrison the house, and we were compelled to leave these to their fate.
Our horses were brought inside, as were several mules; but the rest of
the live stock--the oxen, pigs, sheep, and goats--had to be deserted.
The house stood on slightly elevated ground, sloping away gradually on
three sides, the fourth being that on which the courtyard was situated.

The night was drawing on, but as yet we had seen no signs of an enemy.
It was possible that, after all, Aqualonga and his band might not come;
they might have encountered some of the patriot troops and been driven
back. We hoped that such might be the case.

I was looking out on the side turned towards our house, when Gerald
joined me. "I can't sleep for thinking of the work we are to be engaged
in," he said. "After all the trouble we have taken, it will be quite a
pity if