now we surrender quietly
to the Spaniards, or make one more bold stand."

"What does Colonel Preston say?" said my father, quietly.

"Fight, sir," cried the colonel, fiercely, "as long as we can fire shot
or lift an arm; but the majority are for giving up. What does Captain
Bruton say?"

My father was so weak that he could not stand alone, but his eyes were
bright still, and he drew back his head as he looked round.

"First let me hear what others have to say." One of the settlers took a
step forward. "That we have fought like men, sir, but it is too much to
attempt more. We have failed in our attempt to establish this colony,
so now let us make the best terms we can with the Spaniards, and try to
get back home. Come, Captain Bruton, you are terribly hurt; you have
done all you can. Speak out now, sir, like a brave man, who wishes to
save further slaughter. You agree with me?"

Every eye was turned on my father, who, in spite of his quiet ways, had
gained enormous influence, and even the General seemed to look at him
anxiously as he spoke.

"I quite agree with you, sir, that we want peace, and to return home;
but this is home--this country that we chose and obtained the King's
charter to hold, and to defend against all comers. The Spaniards'
descent has been most fortunate; but when they come back and arrogantly
order us to surrender, there is not surely an Englishman here who will
give up? I say No. We have our defences nearly perfect still, and half
an hour to repair this breach. Ammunition in plenty; provisions still
for quite a siege. Who says surrender? Not I."

There was a cheer at this, and the General laid his hand on my father's
shoulder, crying--

"No one says surrender. Quick, men! Work!"

He issued his orders sharply; they were readily obeyed, and in a very
short space of time the gap in the palisade was filled with board,
plank, and barrel from the central defence that had been so hotly
contested that morning. The barrels were stood up on end and filled
with earth, and by the time the Spaniards' firing had ceased, and they
were returning, our men were posted here and there; and our weakness
being hidden, we presented a formidable appearance to the Spanish force,
as it marched back, and without coming near our weakest part at the
back, formed up at a short distance from the well-manned gates.

Quite a hopeful feeling seemed to have come over men who had been in
despair a short hou