There is no use to fire, you know, unless you hit somebody.

Are you ready ?" he asked.
"Yes," was the prompt reply.
"Then here goes," said he, turning the light upon the crowd below--who, having some experience in what would follow, did their best to get out of reach; but they were too late--for the appearance of the light was followed by the instantaneous report of several guns which did fearful execution amidst the throng of ruffians.

Two or three fell on the spot, and were carried off by their comrades with fearful execrations.
The firing now became frequent on both sides, and Esther's services came into constant requisition.

It was in vain that her father endeavoured to persuade her to leave the room; notwithstanding the shutters had been thrown open to facilitate operations from within and the exposure thereby greatly increased, she resolutely refused to retire, and continued fearlessly to load the guns and hand them to the men.
"They've got axes at work upon the door, if they are not dislodged, they'll cut their way in," exclaimed one of the young men--"the stones are exhausted, and I don't know what we shall do." Just then the splash of water was heard, followed by shrieks of agony.
"Oh, God! I'm scalded! I'm scalded!" cried one of the men upon the steps.
"Take me away! take me away!" In the midst of his cries another volume of scalding water came pouring down upon the group at the door, which was followed by a rush from the premises.
"What is that--who could have done that--where has that water come from ?" asked Mr.Walters, as he saw the seething shower pass the window, and fall upon the heads below.

"I must go and see." He ran upstairs, and found Kinch and Caddy busy putting on more water, they having exhausted one kettle-full--into which they had put two or three pounds of cayenne pepper--on the heads of the crowd below.
"We gave 'em a settler, didn't we, Mr.Walters ?" asked Caddy, as he entered the room.