heir course
down the park slope, toward the lake.

There before them in the evening glow was the fine old house, with the
dense cloud of smoke slowly rising, and shouts reached them as men were
seen running to and fro in obedience to the orders, but what those
orders were it was impossible to tell.

In front of the building a strong body of the general's men was drawn
up, and in their midst the prisoners stood in a knot, while from time to
time horsemen came slowly in, leading other prisoners, who had evidently
been captured in efforts to escape.

But though Fred strained his eyes eagerly, the distance kept him from
recognising any familiar faces, and a terrible sense of heart-sinking
increased as he hurried on.

All at once the thundering of horses' hoofs was heard behind, and a
familiar voice shouted Fred's name.

He turned to see that it was his father, who slightly checked his
powerful horse as he came up.

"Quick! you two," he cried; "lay hold of the mane, and run."

Fred grasped the idea in an instant, seized the horse's thick mane, and
dropped into step as the sturdy beast trotted on. But the mane was all
on Fred's side, and Samson missed his opportunity, but as the horse
passed on, he made a snatch at the tail, twisted his hand in the thick
hair, was nearly jerked off his feet, but recovered himself, and held
on, improving his position by degrees, and contriving to keep up.

"They must have done this themselves, Fred," said Colonel Forrester, in
a deeply troubled voice. "Hah! that's right. We must save the place."

"What are they doing, father?"

"Our men are joining line toward the stable yard, and getting buckets, I
think. Hold on tightly."

"I'm quite right, father," panted Fred; and he kept up till they reached
the men who surrounded the prisoners, and who burst into a cheer as the
colonel came up.

Fred's position prevented him from seeing exactly who were numbered
among the prisoners, and at that moment the general drew rein at their
side.

"You shouldn't have let them fire the place, Hedley," said Colonel
Forrester, in a voice full of reproach.

"It was not our doing, man. Some of their own party started it. There
was a fire in the big dining-room. Hangings, chairs, and linen were
thrown upon it. The fire blazed up the oak panellings, and the open
windows fanned the draft."

"We must save it. Come on."

"We are doing everything possible, man; but the water is in a well, and