it would still be necessary that these taxes should be collected,
unless France is to be overrun by the Spaniards and Austrians.
I would fain abstain from spilling one drop of your blood, but I
must defend myself if you attack me, and I warn you that, numerous
as you are, you will not succeed in capturing my castle. I am a
soldier of France, and as I have shed my blood in defending her
against her enemies, so if you persist I shall not hesitate in
shedding yours in my own defence. I implore you to disperse to your
homes; even if you gain successes for a time, it would but draw
down vengeance upon you."

The assailants had paused when he commenced to speak, and those
in front had listened to his words, but those behind, not knowing
what was going on, continued to shout and to press up the hill. As
he finished speaking there was a yell of defiance, and the column
rushed forward.

"Aim low," Hector shouted as he leapt down among his men, "fire!"
Eight muskets flashed out. "Second line, fire! Now handle your
pikes, the rear lines will reserve their fire."

Although ten or twelve of the leading rank of the insurgents
had fallen, there was no pause among the others, and they rushed
forward to the hedge of pikes.

"Take charge here, MacIntosh; I will run and get the stones at
work." In half a minute he stood by the side of the tenants.

"Heave then down!" he said. He had chosen a spot where the rock
rose perpendicularly above the road. "Drop them over," he said,