were all
our party, as we only went to the window to fire, then retreating behind
the walls, that not one of us had hitherto been hurt. From the sounds
which reached my ears I believed that the rifles of those of the
garrison who commanded the entrance were taking effect. Presently,
after another attempt to break open the door, I saw our assailants in
the grey light of morning beating a rapid retreat and dragging along
with them three or four of their number who had been either killed or
badly wounded.

"Victory, victory?" shouted Uncle Denis, "Erin-go-braugh, I knew we
should do for the audacious villains. Hurrah, hurrah?" The rest of us
echoed his shout, including Biddy from the kitchen, while she flourished
her red-hot poker above her head.

My father hastened to assure my mother and Kathleen that we were safe
for the present, while we all shook hands round, congratulating
ourselves on our victory.

"We must not be too certain that we have got rid of them altogether,"
observed my father; "those Kentuckians are persevering fellows. If they
think they have a chance of success they will be at us again."

Increasing daylight enabled us to see for some distance around the
house, but no one could we discover. We all began to believe that they
had finally gone away, when Peter, who was looking through a window at
the side of the house exclaimed--

"See, massa, see! look dare!"

A bright flame shot up, its size rapidly increasing. It was in the
direction of a barn in which a quantity of corn and other produce was
stored.

"The scoundrels have set it on fire in revenge!" exclaimed Uncle Denis;
"let's be out and after them."

"The very thing they would wish us to do," observed my father; "probably
one of their objects in firing the building was the hope that we should
rush out to extinguish the flames. Provided the fire does not extend,
it will be wiser to remain here."

Uncle Denis agreed that my father was right. That he was so we
afterwards ascertained from one of the farm-labourers who had cautiously
followed the Kentuckians.

The sun at length rose, when Mr Tidey insisted on going out to learn
whether they had actually taken their departure. To this my father
consented, and the Dominie set off with his rifle, accompanied by Boxer.
On going out, he found numerous splashes of blood in the front near the
battering-ram, showing that the Kentuckians had been deservedly punished
for the outrage.

We ha