At this juncture, the three young ladies Stanley entered the room, and flew towards their mother.

"You have a letter from our dear father," they cried. "Is he coming to drive the enemy away?"

"Not yet," replied the countess.

"He may come too late," cried Lady Henriette Marie. "They say the rebels are more threatening than ever, and are determined to batter down our walls as soon as their cannon will fire properly."

"I am afraid of that terrible mortar," said Lady Kate. "Captain Standish says they have taken the nails from it, and we may soon expect to hear its dreadful voice again."

"I think the culverin and the saker make noise enough," said the little Lady Amelia. "We are to have that music all day."

"They will cease firing when they find they can do us no harm," said the countess. "By this time they ought to have found out that they can make no impression on our walls."

"But they may damage the house," said Lady Henriette.

As she spoke, a terrible crash was heard in the adjoining chamber, followed by the descent of a heavy body, making it clear that a cannon shot had entered the window, and dropped upon the floor.

The young ladies Stanley screamed, but the countess and Gertrude maintained their composure, and the latter instantly rushed into the other room to see what had happened.

As she supposed, a ponderous shot had broken the beautiful glass of the bay window, and rolled to the foot of the bed.

"Tis well your ladyship had left the room ere this occurred," said Gertrude, as the countess came in, followed by her daughters, whose countenances bespoke their alarm.

"Yes, I have been wonderfully preserved," replied the countess.

"But you will not continue to occupy the room, mamma?" cried the Lady Henriette.

"Wherefore not?" rejoined her mother, "Heaven will protect me."

They were examining the shot when the voices of Trioche and others of the household were heard without, praying admittance, and the countess bade Gertrude open the door of the ante-chamber.

Great was the delight of these faithful servants to find their noble mistress unhurt, and they were still expressing their satisfaction, when Major Farrington, with Standish and Archdeacon Rutter, made their appearance, and were equally pleased.

"We knew that a shot had struck this part of the building, and feared mischief," said Major Farrington. "But since your ladyship is safe all is well."

"I had no such fear, madam," observed Archdeacon Rutter. "I felt sure Heaven would protect you."

"The engineer who fired that shot will never fire another," said Standish. "He was killed next moment by our marksmen, and his place has not yet been taken, as is evident by the silence of the culverin."

"It may be well that your ladyship should show yourself," said Major Farrington. "Fears are entertained for your safety."

"I will go down at once," replied the countess.

"I must perforce change my lodging till that window is repaired, but the enemy shall not drive me from my room."

"I felt sure of it, madam," said Gertrude.

Accompanied by her daughters and Archdeacon Rutter, the countess then descended to the parade, where she was enthusiastically received by the officers and men, and shouts resounded from the walls.

By this time the rain had ceased and the morning had become bright and cheerful. After remaining in the court for a few minutes, she proceeded to the chapel to offer up thanks for her preservation.

Meanwhile three or four engineers on the batteries of the besiegers had been shot, and apparently not a man could be found to work the guns. Thus the enemy ceased firing altogether, and the garrison became completely tranquillised.

But towards evening it seemed certain-from preparations that were then being made-that the mortar would again be tried on the morrow.

XXI.

Of the Experiments made by the Besiegers with the Great Mortar

NEXT morning, as Major Farrington, in company with Standish, reconnoitred the enemy from the ramparts, he perceived they were again very busily employed in the sconce in which the great mortar was placed. As far as the observers could make out, some two hundred men were collected near the new fort, and it was evident this large force had been brought there to resist any attack.

"I do not like that mortar," remarked Major Farrington, "and I am persuaded it will give us more trouble than all the rest of their guns put together."

"It may not prove so formidable as you anticipate," said Standish. "However, I own it has an ugly look, and should be glad if its large mouth could be stopped, but that does not seem practicable. Nailing it is useless as we have found."

"Depend upon it, they are going to give it a thorough trial to-day," said Major Farrington; "and unless I am mistaken some of their commanders are in the sconce to witness the experiment. I will take care they shall not have a very pleasant time of it."

"If Rigby is there I hope a shot may hit him," rejoined Standish. "But for him we should not have been plagued by this pestilent mortar."

Major Farrington then gave orders to the engineers in all the towers facing the fort in question to concentrate their fire upon it. This was done and carried on so persistently, that at length not a man could be seen above the ramparts.

However, the besiegers were not to be deterred from their design. Suddenly, a thundering sound announced that the mortar had been discharged, and a ponderous stone-the course of which could be traced through the air-passed over the walls, and fell in the court, luckily without doing any damage, though causing great consternation.

No further experiment was made that day, because the engineers in the fort were afraid to work, owing to the incessant fire kept up from the ramparts; but enough had been done to prove the tremendous power of the mortar, and all those who gazed at the stone thought what destruction would have been caused had it fallen on the top of a tower or on the roof of the mansion.

Next day, on examining the magazine, Major Farrington made the unpleasant discovery that the powder was beginning to run short.

The constant firing from the ramparts and towers that had taken place during the last week had well-nigh exhausted the stock, and although a considerable supply had been obtained from the trenches of the enemy during the sallies, very little was left.

For the first time, the countess became uneasy when she received this alarming intelligence, and she gave peremptory orders that no more powder should be wasted. Not a needless shot must be fired.

Standish and the officers did not share her ladyship's uneasiness, because they felt certain the trenches would yield a fresh supply, and the men were not altogether pleased by the restraint put upon them. However, they did not dare to disobey orders, and for the present the firing almost wholly ceased.

As if to test their patience, the enemy were more active than usual on that day, and again brought all their ordnance to bear upon the walls.

Six of the cannon were loaded with chain-shot and bars of iron, but happily did little mischief. They then tried their muskets for more than half an hour together, but with no better success. Not a single man on the walls was hit, nor could they provoke a reply.

Later on, they made another experiment with the great mortar, and this time a grenado was thrown at the mansion. It fell in a small court at the back of the chapel where it exploded, and with such violence that it shook down the walls near it. Again no one was injured, but infinite alarm was caused by the concussion.

The engineers feared that some new fireballs would next be tried, and men provided with wet hides stood ready to extinguish these combustibles if they fell near the mansion. Luckily the services of these assistants were not required. Only a second stone shot was launched against the stronghold, and did no harm.

But the mortar had now become a terrible engine, and frightened the brave men, who had hitherto derided all the attempts of the enemy.

The greater part of the mansion was built of oak, and though shot proof, it might be set on fire. This seemed now to be the aim of the enemy, and the possibility of such an occurrence filled the whole garrison with alarm. The staunchest musketeer turned pale when speaking of shells and grenadoes, and many of them asked permission to quit their lodgings in the upper part of the walls.

To shame them from their fears the officers removed to these rooms, but nothing could overcome the dread caused by the mortar, and when next day another grenado fell in the midst of the musketeers it scattered them like so many sheep.

Familiarity, however, with the danger gave them courage, and when they found that grenadoes were not so dangerous as they imagined-no one as yet having been hurt-they began to laugh at them-especially when a couple that were badly aimed, flew over the house.

Just at this time an incident occurred which, although it did not for a moment shake the fortitude of the countess, caused her great annoyance.

Despite all the firing and the danger to which she was exposed, she had mounted daily-sometimes more than once-to the summit of the Eagle Tower.

One day she was at her post, and surrounded by her usual attendants, when Major Farrington showed her that the engineers in a battery beneath were pointing a culverin against the tower on which she stood. The countess looked on undismayed, and smiled as the shot flew harmlessly past. Shortly afterwards a demi-cannon was fired from an adjacent battery, its mark being evidently the same as the culverin. Shot after shot from both pieces of ordnance followed at short intervals, but the tower remained untouched.

"I would counsel your ladyship to descend," said Major Farrington, who had watched this display with anxiety. "Those cannoniers have evidently got orders to demolish this tower, and they will not desist from the attempt, unless we stop them. Shall I direct our engineers to fire upon them? They will not do so without orders."

"Have we sufficient powder?" inquired the countess, in a low voice.

"Enough for this purpose," he replied. "Not more."

"Then let the enemy fire on," said the brave lady. "We must reserve our scanty stock for a more important occasion."

"I am certain Rigby is in the nearest battery with the culverin," said Major Farrington. "I can see him now."

"Say you so?" said the countess, almost fiercely. "Then, by Heaven, he shall not insult me thus. Give instant orders to return the fire. At any hazard we will silence them."

"I am right glad your ladyship has so resolved," said Major Farrington, as he departed on the errand.

Not till she had enjoyed the gratification of seeing the demi-cannon dismounted by her own engineers did the countess quit her post.

She then descended to the court, feeling perfectly satisfied with the answer she had given to Rigby's insolent challenge.

But her triumph was of short duration. While she was talking to Major Farrington, who had come to meet her, a shot from the culverin struck an angle in the Eagle Tower, making a large breach in the wall, and demolishing part of the staircase.

"Your ladyship has just got down in time," observed Major Farrington. "That shall be the last stroke of Rigby's malice."

And he made good his word. The culverin did not fire another shot, both engineers being killed.

XXII.

How a Summons was sent by Rigby to the Countess to yield up the Castle and sue for Mercy to the Parliament; and of the Answer she returned

THAT night it was very dark and well adapted for a sortie, but as the officers were not allowed to sally forth in consequence of the scarcity of powder, they resorted to a device to annoy the enemy, that proved perfectly successful.

Balls of clay, furnished with a lighted match, such as were used by the musketeers, were flung from the ramparts towards the enemy's works, and quickly attracted the attention of the sentries, who thought an assailing party was at hand.

The alarm was instantly given. Drums were beaten, and shortly afterwards, muskets and periers were fired in the direction of the lights.

For a short time this went on, to the great delight of the spectators on the ramparts, when the besiegers finding the lights continue motionless, suddenly ceased firing. Shouts of laughter from the ramparts explained the trick played upon them.

Next morning the besiegers began to shout loudly in their turn, being evidently desirous of attracting the attention of Major Farrington and the officers of the garrison to a fresh stock of grenadoes and bombs that had just arrived at the works. These they displayed ostentatiously, and pointing significantly to the fort in which the mortar was placed, vociferated at the top of their voices: "We will soon send you some of them."

Burning with rage, the men would fain have responded to these insults with their guns, but were forbidden to fire.

But the sight of the grenadoes made Major Farrington feel very anxious, and he had a long conference with the countess, during which he represented to her, without any attempt at disguise, the extreme danger to be apprehended from a shower of these terrible projectiles.

Two other persons only were present at the conference. These were Archdeacon Rutter and Captain Standish, but though deeply interested, they offered no opinion.

"The time has arrived," said the countess, after some minutes' reflection, "when a heavy blow must be struck against the enemy. At any risk-at any cost-we must deprive him of that mortar."

"Unquestionably, that would be the heaviest blow that could be dealt him," rejoined Farrington. "But I doubt if it can be accomplished."

"I have no such doubt," said the countess, in a determined tone. "But be the result what it may, the attempt shall be made, and without delay. How say you, Captain Standish?" she added, to him. "Are there not officers and men within the garrison willing to undertake this perilous task?"

"Assuredly, madam," he rejoined. "There is not an officer or man in the garrison who would refuse to execute any command given him by your ladyship. The more hazardous the task, the better he would like it."

"I spoke not of zeal or courage," said Major Farrington; "but I fear that the bravest and most devoted men will find it impossible to remove that mortar."

"It must be brought away," said the countess.

"It shall be, madam," rejoined Standish. "Some plan shall be devised for its removal, of which Major Farrington himself will approve."

"I am glad to find you are so sanguine," observed the countess. "But I repeat there must be no delay. The plan must be executed forthwith."

Just then, Captain Chisenhale entered, and informed the countess that a trumpeter was at the gate, and brought her ladyship a letter from Colonel Rigby.

"From Rigby!" she exclaimed. "How dares he write to me? Send back the messenger."

"Let me counsel your ladyship to hear what he has to say," remarked Archdeacon Rutter. "You cannot then reproach yourself hereafter."

"That is good advice," she rejoined. "I will see him. Let the man come to the parade. I will read the letter publicly, that all who list, may hear my answer."

"With your ladyship's permission, I will make that known," said Captain Chisenhale.