“But he will not. These Puritans have queer ideas of honor, and would think it a shame to their manhood to break faith plighted to a woman. I have given your little fool a bitter pill to swallow. I told her he was dead. She heard enough of our conversation to hear us say that, and she believes it. Do these rascals show any signs of a desire to attack us?” “I have lost sight of some of them, and can not tell where they are gone. The rest sit out yonder by the other houses, eating breakfast.” “Whom do you miss?” “Robert Holmes is gone, and so is your friend Barlow. What if they _should_ set the girls free.” “The windows are bolted.” “I know it, on the inside. What is to hinder the girls from opening them?” “They are spiked down. I tell you they have not the strength to open one, even if they could get a signal from the outside. Did you see those fellows go away?” “They slipped out of sight, and I think went out of the gate. After that, I came to this door and tried to get in.” “And failed.” “Yes; it is bolted.” “I didn’t think Katrine would do it. I begin to respect her. What is that, Jan?” The man who was at the window spoke: “The truce is over, sir.” “Are they coming?” “Yes, captain.” “Get your guns ready, then. Where is your rifle, Carl?” “Here, sir.” “Mark that Barlow.” “I can not. My bullet has another work to do. When Robert Holmes is dead it is at your service.” “Say you so. Well, I do not care. I have no love for him. These rascals come on slowly. They are well versed in woodcraft. Something different from the way our blockheads came up to the stockade at Windsor. Fire whenever you get a chance, boys.” The men of Windsor came forward with care, sheltering themselves as well as they could behind the buildings in the works. As they came to the last one, they paused and begun a close fire upon the house. Every head which showed itself at a loop-hole became the mark of a bullet. One of Van Zandt’s men was shot through the head before they had been in action five minutes. The defenders saw that it was no boys’-play now, and hesitated about approaching the windows. The captain ordered them all to lie down, knowing that their fire could do no harm unless the men exposed themselves. He took his place at one of the loops to watch, taking care not to give any of the marksmen a shot. But a lively fire was kept up, and he dared not go away. “Watch that side, Carl,” he said, pointing to the other loop. “If they get under the walls we shall have trouble.” The moment Joseph left the room Theresa was upon her feet, and the strong bar dropped into its place before the door. Then, looking into the other room, she called to Katrine. “Rouse up, dear,” she said. “Do not lie down like a child. You have bolted your door—good. When these dear creatures in the next room come for us we may not be here. Bring me that stool. We will give them the slip yet. See if we do not.” “Oh, Theresa,” said Katrine, rising, “_he_ is dead!”