"
All this was told as the party were running at full speed towards the
house.
"How strong was the troop?" Walter asked.
"About eighty men, yer honour."
"We must trust to a surprise," Walter said. "We can get round to the back
of the house without being seen. If we burst in there suddenly, we can
clear the house and hold it till my father comes up with the whole
troop."
Five minutes after they had left the boat, the party approached the
house. 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.
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