152 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



'* The alarm was speedily forgotten, and we danced 

 reels till supper was announced. The doors were 

 locked, the windows fastened, the ladies wished us 

 good-night, and retired to their respective chambers. 



" Henry and I remained for some time in the eating- 

 room ; the clock struck twelve, and young Morden 

 conducted me to my apartment, and took his leave. 



** I felt a strange disinclination to go to bed, and would 

 have given anything for a book. For temporary employ- 

 ment, I unlocked my gun-case, put my fowHng-piece 

 together, and examined whether my servant had sent 

 all necessary apparatus along with me. I opened the 

 window-curtains. The moon — a full, bright, harvest 

 moon — ^was shining gloriously on the lawn and lake : 

 I gazed on the sparkling surface of the waters till I felt 

 the chill of the night-breeze ; then, closing the shutters, 

 reluctantly prepared to undress. 



" I had thrown my coat and vest aside, when a distant 

 crash was heard, and a fearful noise, with oaths and 

 screams succeeded. I rushed into the corridor, and 

 encountered a terror-stricken maid-servant running 

 from the extremity of the passage. Miss Morden 

 next appeared ; she was in complete dishabille, and had 

 hastily thrown on a dressing-gown. * Good God ! 

 Captain Dwyer, what has occurred ? ' A volley from 

 without prevented a reply, and the crashing of the 

 windows as the glass was splintered by the bullets 

 made it unnecessary. ' The house is attacked,' she 

 said, and then, with amazing self-possession, added, 

 * There are always loaded guns above the kitchen 

 fireplace.' We both ran down the corridor, she to alarm 

 her father, and I to procure a weapon ; young Morden, 

 armed with a sword, met us. * The attack is upon the 



