"Good God, Wayne! Do you think I am likely to forget, with Celia Minor
among them?" he exclaimed indignantly. "Nothing but a strict sense of
duty holds me one moment where I am. Heaven knows I wish to be with
her, and, by thunder, Brennan is aware of it."

"Then come with me," I cried. "There are times when a higher law than
that of military despotism should control our actions. I am going
there, orders or no orders. Ebers can command your detachment and
accomplish all the service you possibly could. Your rightful place is
between these ruffians and the woman you love. How many additional men
will be required to make the back of the house secure?"

His face brightened as I was speaking, and the haggard look vanished
from his eyes.

"I feel like a new man, Wayne," he said thankfully, "and I know you are
right. Four more would be sufficient, besides the one in command. The
wainscoting is high and of solid oak, the windows are small, there is
no porch, while the guns have a perfectly clear range for nearly a
hundred yards."

"Good! Ebers," I said, as my portly Sergeant again emerged from out the
darkness, "take your four men back to the kitchen and assume command.
The guerillas are preparing to make a rush there, and you must drive
them back by rapid fire. Hurry along now."

"By Chiminy, but I vos glad to git in der kitchen, anyhow. Is der
anyting cold to put in der stomach in dot bantry?" he asked anxiously.