Walter halted his men for a moment in the shrubbery behind it.
"Steady, lads, and take breath.

You will follow me into the house, and keep together.

Give no quarter to the scoundrels." Scarcely had he spoken than a piercing scream, accompanied by a pistol shot, was heard within.
"Come on, lads!" Walter exclaimed, as he rushed at full speed at the door, the men following close at his heels.
The door was open.

In the passage lay one of the maidservants, shot through the head by one of the Hessian troopers, who still held the pistol in his hand.

Walter's pistol cracked before the man had time to draw his sword, and he fell dead.
Then he rushed on into the hall, in which were a score of troopers, gathered round a barrel of wine which had just been broached.