villages, and that he believed an attack was about to take place.

Major Warrener at once took his measures for defense. The first troop were
to defend the front of their position with their carbines against an
attack. The second troop were to move round to the extreme end of the
tope, were to mount there, and when the enemy began to waver before the
musketry fire, were to sweep round and take them in flank. Major Warrener
himself took command of the dismounted troop, and posted the men along
behind a bank with a hedge, a short distance in front of the trees. Then,
each man knowing his place, they fell back out of the scorching sunshine
to the shade of the tree's, and waited. In half an hour a loud drumming
was heard, and a motley body, two or three thousand strong, of peasants in
a confused mass, with a tattered banner or two, made their appearance.

The "Avengers," as Warrener's Horse called themselves, took their places
behind the bank, and quietly awaited the attack. The enemy opened a heavy
fire, yet at a long distance. "Answer with a shot or two, occasionally,"
Major Warrener had ordered, "as they will then aim at the bank instead of
tiring into the wood. We don't want the horses hurt."

Slowly and steadily the rifled carbines spoke out in answer to the heavy
fire opened on the bank, and as almost every man of Warrener's Horse was a
sportsman and a good shot, very few shots were thrown away. The enemy beat
their drums more and more loudly, and shouted vociferously as they
advanced. When they were within three hundred yards Major Warrener gave
the word:

"Fire fast, but don't throw away a shot."

Astonished at the accuracy and deadliness of the fire which was poured