river, and away from dese Hesse devils."

"All in good time," I answered. "Do you take care of the ladies while I
go and learn the state of affairs."

It was now the part of Mrs Tarleton and Madeline to press me to stay,
and not to expose myself to danger. I promised to obey in the latter
point, but urged the necessity of ascertaining how matters were
progressing, that I might judge whether we might safely remain where we
were, or whether it would be better at once to cross the river.
Unwillingly they let me go. I managed to climb up to the top of a wall.
A glance showed me that a considerable body of men were engaged in the
attack, and that they were well provided with field-pieces, which were
already making some impression on the walls. Two of the out-houses were
in flames; the roof of the main building had caught fire, and men were
engaged in extinguishing it, while the number of the killed and wounded
was very considerable. I felt convinced that, heroically as the
garrison were defending themselves, they could not long hold out. With
this conviction I returned to my friends, and urged Mrs Tarleton to
allow me to conduct her at once to the boat. While she was still
hesitating, Lieutenant Spinks rushed into the vault, blood streaming
from his arm. "All is lost!" he exclaimed. "Fly, ladies, fly, or those
villainous Hessians will be up to us before you can escape. The colonel
is making a stout resistance, and may keep them back for some time, but
he ordered me to come on and hasten your flight."

After hearing this, I was determined that there should be no further
delay; so, sending the negroes on to the boat, we took the ladies' arms
and followed as rapidly as they could walk. Not for a moment would I
allow them to stop and look back.

The boat was in readiness: we stepped in. I urged Spinks to come also,
as with his wound he could be of no further use. I had, however, almost
to force him on board. Without a moment's delay we shoved off. I put
Spinks at the helm, and took an oar. The blacks seized the other two,
and there was no necessity to tell them to pull away lustily. We were
only just in time. The shouts and shrieks and cries increased. Thick
flew the bullets--many passing over our heads. The flames grew
brighter; the main building was on fire, and burned furiously. By its
bright glare we could distinguish the dark figures of the combatants--
the assailants climbing over the walls on eith