As they did so, the defenders poured in a terrible fire from their magazine rifles.

The heads of the columns melted away, and the assailants fell back, hastily.
"I do not think they will try again," Lisle said.

"If they have lost as heavily, in the other two houses, as they have here, their loss must have been heavy, indeed." The torches were kept burning all night, but there was no repetition of the attack and, in the morning, the assailants were seen gathered half a mile away.

Presently a man was observed approaching, waving a green bough.

He was met at the hedge by the chief.