I drew my sword, a sharp, heavy blade, and being much frightened, began to swing it heroically in every direction.
Fortunately one of the dogs happened to be in one of the directions, and I split its head.

The other dog attacked Betty, but George ran to her rescue and finished the animal before it had time to bark.
Having vanquished the dogs, we hastened to the tower and stopped beneath the window of the star.

We had hoped to attract Frances's attention by casting pebbles against the window-pane, but we had counted without our ammunition.

We could find no pebbles, the snow being at least a foot deep.
A thick vine, probably an ivy, covered the front of the tower, and George attempted to make the escalade by climbing.

He would have denuded the wall had he continued his efforts, for the vine broke, not being strong enough to bear his weight.
"Let me try it," whispered Betty, taking off her greatcoat, hood, gloves, and boots and tossing them to the ground.
I objected to her risking her pretty neck and limbs, but she insisted that she could make the ascent easily, and George agreeing with her, I reluctantly consented.
Brave little Betty at once began the ascent, I standing under her to break the fall if she should take one.