with his
sound arm. 'O, 'tis neighbour Loveday!'

'Did you get your signal to fire it from the east?' said the miller
hastily.

'No; from Abbotsea Beach.'

'But you are not to go by a coast signal!'

'Chok' it all, wasn't the Lord-Lieutenant's direction, whenever you see
Rainbarrow's Beacon burn to the nor'east'ard, or Haggardon to the
nor'west'ard, or the actual presence of the enemy on the shore?'

'But is he here?'

'No doubt o't! The beach light is only just gone down, and Simon heard
the guns even better than I.'

'Hark, hark! I hear 'em!' said Bob.

They listened with parted lips, the night wind blowing through Simon
Burden's few teeth as through the ruins of Stonehenge. From far down on
the lower levels came the noise of wheels and the tramp of horses upon
the turnpike road.

'Well, there must be something in it,' said Miller Loveday gravely. 'Bob,
we'll go home and make the women-folk safe, and then I'll don my
soldier's clothes and be off. God knows where our company will
assemble!'

They hastened down the hill, and on getting into the road waited and
listened again. Travellers began to come up and pass them in vehicles of
all descriptions. It was difficult to attract their attention in the dim
light, but by standing on the top of a wall which fenced the road Bob was
at last seen.

'What's the matter?' he cried to a butcher who was flying past in his
cart, his wife sitting behind him without a bonnet.

'The French have landed!' said the man, without drawing rein.

'Where?' shouted Bob.

'In West Bay; and all Budmouth is in uproar!' replied the voice, now
faint in the distance.

Bob and his father hastened on till they reached their own house. As
they had expected, Anne and her mother, in common with most of the
people, were both dressed, and stood at the door bonneted and shawled,
listening to the traffic on the neighbouring highway, Mrs. Loveday having
secured what money and small valuables they possessed in a huge pocket
which extended all round her waist, and added considerably to her weight
and diameter.

''Tis true enough,' said the miller: 'he's come! You and Anne and the
maid must be off to Cousin Jim's at King's-Bere, and when you get there
you must do as they do. I must assemble with the company.'

'And I?' said Bob.

'Thou'st better run to the church, and take a pike before they be all
gone.'

The horse was put into the gig, and Mrs. Loveday, Anne, and the servant