"There is not a moment to lose; here is a peasant's mantle--if you should be interrogated, you have only to show this paszura,[7] and mention my name. Your not knowing the language is of no consequence; my men are accustomed to, see Hungarian gentlemen visit me in disguise, and having only seen you by night, they will not recognize you." Imre hastily took the dress, while Decurio spoke to the people, made arrangements for the execution of their plans, and pointed out the way to the castle, promising to follow them immediately. "Accept my horse as a remembrance," said the young man, turning to the Decurio. "I accept it, as it would only raise suspicion were you to mount it; but you may recover it again in the field. Haste, and lose no time! If you delay you will bring mourning on your own head and disgrace on mine!" In a few minutes the young man, disguised as a Wallachian peasant, was hastening on foot across the hills of Kolozsvar. It was past midnight. The inhabitants of the Bardy castle had all retired to rest. The iron gate was locked and the windows barred, when suddenly the sound of demoniac cries roused the slumberers from their dreams. "What is that noise?" cried Jozsef Bardy, springing from his bed, and rushing to the window. "The Olahok!"[8] cried a hussar, who had rushed to his master's apartments on hearing the sounds. "The Olah! the Olah!" was echoed through the corridors by the terrified servants. By the light of a few torches, a hideous crowd was seen before the windows, armed with scythes and axes, which they were brandishing with fearful menaces. "Lock all the doors!" cried Jozsef Bardy, with calm presence of mind. "Barricade the great entrance, and take the ladies and children to the back rooms. You must not lose your heads, but all assemble together in the turret-chamber, from whence the whole building may be protected. And taking down two good rifles from over his bed, he hastened to his elder brother Tamas's apartments, and overlooked the court. "Have you heard the noise?" asked his brother as he entered. "I knew it would come," he replied, and coolly continued to pace the room. "And are you not preparing for defense?" "To what purpose?--they will kill us all. I am quite prepared for what must inevitably happen." "But it will not happen if we defend ourselves courageously. We are eight men--the walls of the castle are strong--the besiegers have no guns, and no place to protect them; we may hold out for days until assistance comes from Kolozsvar." "We shall lose," replied Tamas coldly, and without the slightest change of countenance. "Then I shall defend the castle myself. I have a wife and children, our old grandmother and our sisters are here, and I shall protect them, if I remain alone." At that instant Barnabas and old Simon entered with the widowed sister.