The Boy who sailed with Blake | Page 6

the greater portion of the lines, we could see through a
narrow loophole what was going forward.
He then returned to the post which he, with Martin Shobbrok, an old

follower of his in many a voyage, had undertaken to keep. He had
directed me, should the enemy get into the town, to run home and try to
protect my sister from insult, and our house from plunder. "Though I
may never return, my boy, should the Malignants force an entrance, yet
you, Ben, will, I trust, live to become a man, and serve our country
either on shore or afloat," he said in a grave tone, which showed,
however, no signs of fear. I often afterwards thought of his words, and
prayed that I might fulfil his expectations.
We had not long taken up our position in the tower before we saw the
Cavalier forces moving down the slopes of the hill. One party advanced
towards our outposts at Hayes Farm, and then attacked Colway House,
at which their great guns commenced a furious fire, wreaths of white
smoke filling the calm air. Presently the two little garrisons returned the
salute with right goodwill.
Then we caught sight of them rushing at full speed towards our lines;
and good reason they had to move fast, for, following them close, came
horse and foot in battle array, with trumpets sounding, drums beating,
lances in rest, pikes at the charge, and swords flashing in the bright
sunlight. The enemy halted, however, when still at a distance, and a
herald advanced, who blowing a blast on his trumpet summoned the
town instantly to surrender.
Colonel Blake, mounting on the ramparts, answered in a loud tone,
which reached our ears--
"Not while we have men to fight, or breastworks to defend the place.
Go, tell the Prince who sent you that such is our resolve."
Shaking his fist at the town, the herald wheeled round his horse and
galloped off.
But a short time elapsed before the trumpets sounded a general charge,
and the infantry rushed impetuously forward towards the lines, hurling
immense numbers of hand-grenades 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
pistols, pikes, and spears, and then, staggering, they broke and fled,
followed by showers of missiles, until they were beyond our