slung inside of the canoe, by leather thongs. At the moment we were
starting, Mr-----came close to me and whispered, "Do you think your ship
will still be in the river?"

I answered that I made no doubt she was.

"But even if she be not," said he, "the Holstein bank is open to us.
Anywhere but Hamburgh now." And the scalding tears ran down his cheeks.

At this moment there was a bustle on the hill top, and presently the
artillery began once more to play, while the musketry breezed up again in
the distance. A mounted bugler rode half way down the hill, and sounded
the recall. The young officer hesitated. He man waved his hand, and blew
the advance.

"It must be for us--answer it." His bugle did so. "Bring the pitch, men
the flax--so now--break the windows, and let the air in--set the house on
fire; and, Sergeant Guido, remain to prevent it being extinguished I shall
fire the village as we pass through."

He gave the word to face about; and, desiring the men to follow at the
same swinging run with which the whole of the infantry had originally
advanced, he spurred his horse against the hill, and soon disappeared.

My host's resolution seemed now taken. Turning to the sergeant, "My good
fellow, the reconnoissance will soon be returning; I shall precede it into
the town."

The man, a fine vieux moustache, hesitated.