rcoming us."

The men who were waving the torches had hitherto not ventured near the
house, but had contented themselves with springing here and there and
attempting to dazzle the eyes of the besieged party. Higson, who had
himself hitherto kept under shelter, now began to fear that his allies
would give way, and the attack would altogether fail. He knew the
nature of buildings in the West Indies; and finding that the little
garrison were not likely to be overcome by the present mode of attack,
he determined to set fire to the house, and then to seize those who were
likely to prove most valuable to him, as they were escaping from the
burning building. He immediately issued an order to the men with
torches to rush forward, at the same time directing others to collect
all the dry brushwood they could find, and to pile it up in the
verandah. Those, however, who first advanced were received with so hot
a fire that several were killed or wounded, and the rest sought safety
in flight. Again and again Higson urged them to renew the attempt, and
finding this did not avail, he ordered the main body to retreat, greatly
to the relief of the garrison. The whole body of their enemies were
seen descending the hill, and they began to congratulate themselves that
they had gained an easy victory. No one had been killed within the
house, although several had been struck by bullets which had found their
way through the loop-holes or the too thinly planked windows.

The Earl and his friends were not left long in doubt about the
intentions of the rebels. In a short time they were seen rushing up the
hill again, numbers bearing bundles of reeds and other combustible
substances, and others flaming torches in their hands. In spite of the
hot fire with which they were received, they dashed forward and threw
the bundles into the verandah. Several fell in the attempt, but the
great mass persevered, and the men with the torches now advancing, cast
them amidst the heaps of brushwood. In a few seconds the whole was in a
blaze. The woodwork of the building soon caught fire, and it became
evident to the besieged that the house would not long be tenable.
Still, as long as any could remain on the front side, they continued to
fire at the rebels.

Mr Jefferson now called a Council of War, and explained to his friends
the plan he proposed for effecting their escape. The Earl agreed that
the undertaking was feasible, though they might be exp