to point out the spots where he judged it necessary that
batteries and entrenchments should be thrown up.

He was accompanied by a young nephew, also named Robert Blake, son of
his brother Samuel, who was killed some time before at Bridgwater, while
commanding a company in Colonel Popham's regiment. I afterwards became
well acquainted with young Robert Blake, as we were much drawn together
by the fondness for a sea life which we both possessed. His was rather
a passion than mere fondness--indeed, like his noble uncle, he was
enthusiastic in all his aspirations, and a more gallant, noble-minded
lad I never met.

That evening the newly arrived troops, as well as every man in the place
capable of labouring, set to work with pickaxes, spades, and barrows to
throw up embankments, to cut trenches, to erect batteries, to barricade
the roads, and to loophole all the outer walls of the houses and
gardens. Officers were in the meantime despatched by the Governor and
the Mayor to obtain volunteers from Charmouth, Uplyme, and other
villages; while foraging parties were sent out in all directions to
collect provisions, cattle, and fodder. Although, in addition to
Colonel Blake's five hundred regulars, scarcely more than three hundred
fighting men could be mustered in the town, there were no signs of
wavering; but high and low endeavoured to make amends for the paucity of
their numbers by their dauntless courage, their energy, and unceasing
toil; and even women and children were to be seen in all directions,
filling baskets with sods, and carrying materials to the labourers at
the earthworks.

Lancelot and I kept together, and did our best to be of use, though I
could not do much, being a little fellow; but I know that I worked away
as hard as my strength would allow me. Colonel Blake was everywhere,
superintending the operations and encouraging the men. Stopping near
where my friends and I were at work, he addressed the labourers.

"The haughty Cavaliers fancy that they can ride roughshod into your
little town, my lads," he said; "but I want you to show them that you
can fight for your hearths and homes as well as did my brave fellows at
Prior's Hill; and I do not fear that a traitor will be found within our
trenches to deliver up the place, while we have a cask of powder in our
magazines, or a musket to fire it. And even should our ammunition run
short, the Lord of Hosts being with us, we'll drive them back with pike
an