CHAPTER IV.

THE WAGES OF WAR.


At The Holms, as may well be supposed, the rude alarum of war, at
the very door, as it were, threw the quiet household into unwonted
excitement. The early cannonade brought every member of the family
with eager questioning into the great kitchen.

"It has come," said the squire, "the day I have long looked for.
We muse meet it like brave men."

"God defend the right," added Neville, with solemn emotion.

"And forgive and pity our misguided enemies," said Katharine, the
tears standing in her eyes.

"And send them back quicker than they came," exclaimed Zenas, with
some more hard words of boyish petulance.

"We must help to send them, eh, Sandy?" said Tom Loker.

"Ay, please God," devoutly answered Mr. McKay. "I doubt na He will
break them in pieces like a potter's vessel--a vessel fitted for
destruction."

After a hurried breakfast the two men hastened to join their
militia company, Mary having first filled their haversacks with a