"Oh, ki, massa, is dat you?" exclaimed the first, springing to his feet. "Come along--dis no good place for any wise man. We get across de river, and away from dese Hesse devils." "All in good time," I answered. "Do you take care of the ladies while I go and learn the state of affairs." It was now the part of Mrs Tarleton and Madeline to press me to stay, and not to expose myself to danger. I promised to obey in the latter point, but urged the necessity of ascertaining how matters were progressing, that I might judge whether we might safely remain where we were, or whether it would be better at once to cross the river. Unwillingly they let me go. I managed to climb up to the top of a wall. A glance showed me that a considerable body of men were engaged in the attack, and that they were well provided with field-pieces, which were already making some impression on the walls. Two of the out-houses were in flames; the roof of the main building had caught fire, and men were engaged in extinguishing it, while the number of the killed and wounded was very considerable. I felt convinced that, heroically as the garrison were defending themselves, they could not long hold out. With this conviction I returned to my friends, and urged Mrs Tarleton to allow me to conduct her at once to the boat. While she was still hesitating, Lieutenant Spinks rushed into the vault, blood streaming from his arm. "All is lost!" he exclaimed. "Fly, ladies, fly, or those villainous Hessians will be up to us before you can escape. The colonel is making a stout resistance, and may keep them back for some time, but he ordered me to come on and hasten your flight." After hearing this, I was determined that there should be no further delay; so, sending the negroes on to the boat, we took the ladies' arms and followed as rapidly as they could walk. Not for a moment would I allow them to stop and look back.