"Some one et the window," he whispered. Then he ran to the door
and drew the bolt. "Ain' much idee who 't is," he added, peering
out of the window. "By gosh! more 'n a dozen folks out here,
soldiers tew, most uv 'em on horseback. Come quick."

We followed him upstairs, in the dark, as they began to pound the
door. From the yard a light flashed up. They were evidently
building a fire so that they would have better shooting if we came
out.

"May set the house afire," said the landlord.

He quickly unwound a big hose that ran up to a tank in the peak
above us.

"Plenty o' water?" D'ri whispered.

"Rivers uv it," said the landlord. "Tank's connected with the
reservoir o' the lead-works on the hill up there. Big wooden pipe
comes in the gable-end."

"Turn 'er on," said D'ri, quickly, "an' let me hev thet air hose."

The landlord ran up a ladder. D'ri stuck the hose out of the
window. The stream shot away with a loud hiss. I stood by and saw
the jet of water leap forth as big as a pikestaff. A man went off
his horse, sprawling as if he had been hit with a club. The jet
leaped quickly from one to another, roaring on man and beast.
There was a mighty scurry. Horses went headlong down the hill,