What are you thinking of ?" "I was thinking that we might make an arrangement with someone, in a village some seven or eight miles beyond the hills, to keep a boy on watch night and day; so that, directly a body of Catholic troops were seen coming along, he should start at full speed to some place a quarter of a mile away, and there set light to a beacon piled in readiness.
"We, on our part, would have a watch set on the top of this hill behind us; at a spot where the hill on which the beacon was placed would be visible.

Then at night the fire, and by day the smoke would serve as a warning.

Our watchman would, at once, fire an arquebus and light another beacon; which would be the signal for all within reach to come here, as quickly as possible.
"At each farmhouse a lookout must, of course, be kept night and day.

I should advise the tenants to send up as much of their corn and hay as possible, at once; and that the cattle should be driven up close to the chateau, at night." "I think that would be a very good plan, Philip.

I am sure that among our men-at-arms must be some who have acquaintances and friends on the other side of the hill.