"

"There is plenty of room beside me, father. How they are galloping
now!"

In spite of his weakness, Fred had turned himself a little on one side,
so as to watch the backs of the pair who were now blocking out the
little light which came from the window; and as the exciting events went
on, and he listened to the galloping of the horses, the shouts of the
horsemen--his own party--and the trumpet calls, the perspiration due to
excitement stood upon his brow, and he at last groaned out--

"Oh, if I could only see!"

"Ay, Master Fred, if we could only see!" came from close at hand. "Hark
at 'em! hark at 'em!"

There was no need for Samson's adjuration, for Fred's sense of hearing
was strained to the utmost, and he was picturing mentally the effects of
the scattered shots which were now being fired.

"All waste, Samson; all waste," he said hoarsely. "No man can take aim
when he's galloping full stretch."

"No, Master Fred; but it'll scare t'other side a bit, p'raps make some
of 'em surrender."

Fred shook his head slowly, and then listened again as the girl
exclaimed excitedly--

"Look, father; there's one down!"

"Ay, how could he expect to leap the wall on a horse blown like that?"

"Those two have galloped up to him. Ah, cowards! two to one. Father,
they're killing him. Oh!"

"They're not," cried Fred, hotly. "They're taking him prisoner."

"Right!" cried the landlord, turning sharply; "but how did you know?"

"Because I know our side would not act like butchers with a defenceless
man," said Fred, proudly, "They take prisoners, sir, and always give
quarter."

The landlord uttered a grunt, and turned sharply to watch the progress
of the fight and pursuit.

"Look, Polly!" he cried; "they have got to the top of the hill, and see
their danger."

"Yes, father; look, look--they have halted and turned. Yes; they are
coming back."

"Can the two regiments trying to cut them off see them?"

"No, I think not; they are down in the hollows. Look, father; they're
coming back."

"The enemy?"

"No; the king's men. Can't you see!"

"See? yes," cried the landlord, with increased excitement. "Why,
they're mad. They're coming right into danger. Whatever do they mean?"

"I don't know, father. Why, they'll all be taken."

"They must have a fool for leader."

"Ah!" sighed Fred, as he strained his ears to catch every word and sound
from outside.

But the landlord was wrong. The king's regiment