The two daughters, with their mother, took up their places between the two windows, under cover of the wall, and having been well practiced for som, weeks previous, stood prepared to load and hand up the arms to their heroes when the occasion should arrive.

About the hour of one o'clock in the morning, the barking of dogs, and an odd random shot, gave the Bolands certain and unmistakable notice that their hour of terror was at hand.

And soon they could hear a monotonous sound of moving feet and suppressed voices, under the outer walls of their fortress.

A horn was then sounded, and the besieged were called upon to open their gates and surrender at discretion.

But no answer was received from within, where all was total darkness and apparent inactivity.
Several attempts were now made to burst the strong yard door, but without effect.