nades among the defenders, which, bursting as
they fell, filled the air with smoke and deafened our ears by their
explosions.

Not one of our brave fellows wavered, but fired rapidly in return among
the dense masses of the foe. The next instant we could see a large body
of cavalry riding furiously onward, expecting to gain an easy victory.
In vain the bravest attempted to ride over the earthworks, up to the
very muzzles of the muskets; but they were driven back by the heavy fire
poured into their ranks, and compelled to retreat up the valley, leaving
many dead and wounded behind.

We three boys could not refrain from giving way to a shout of joy,
believing that the battle was won; but we were grievously mistaken.
Again the serried ranks of foot advanced with fierce shouts, threatening
the destruction of our little garrison.

CHAPTER TWO.

A SUCCESSFUL DISGUISE.

On came the enemy with determination. Fiercely the battle raged--again
and again the foot advanced up to the embankment, each time retreating
from the storm of bullets, case shot, and round shot poured into them,
leaving the ground strewed with their comrades, some in the calm of
death, others struggling in vain efforts to rise and escape from the
field.

Again we thought that the fight for that day was over, when we
distinguished a horseman riding along the broken ranks of the Cavaliers,
waving his sword, as if to lead them on. He advanced, but not a foot
would they budge. They had that day gained a lesson they could not so
easily forget.

At length, losing patience, the Cavalier, who we had no doubt was the
Prince himself, rode round to where his cavalry were posted. The
advance was sounded, and now the horse, drawn up in the rear, urged
forward the foot with lances and pistol shots at their backs.

"They must come on this time," cried Lancelot; "if they don't, they'll
get cut down by their friends in the rear."

"Then I hope that such will be their fate," said Dick. "See, the poor
fellows are advancing. I pity them, for they well know how they will be
treated by Colonel Blake."

As the enemy got within range of our firearms they were received with
showers of musket balls and case shot, which went through and through
their closed ranks, striking down dozens at a time, but still, urged on
by their officers--who, to give them their due, fought with the most
heroic bravery--they advanced close up to our lines. Here they were met
by pisto