The arrangements for the
defense were that Mr. Fitzgerald, Lopez, and Terence should defend
the lower part of the house. There were in all six double-barreled
guns--two to each of them; and three of the peons more courageous
than the others offered to load the guns as they were discharged.
Mr. Hardy and the boys had their place on the tower, from which
they commanded the whole garden. They had the long rifle, the
carbines, and four revolvers. Mrs. Hardy and the girls took their
place in the upper room of the tower, where there was a light.
Their rifles were ready in case of necessity, but their principal
duty was to load the spare chambers of the carbines and pistols as
fast as they were emptied, the agreement being that the girls
should go up by turns to take the loaded ones and bring down the
empties. Sarah's place was her kitchen, where she could hear all
that was going on below, and she was to call up the ladder in case
aid was required. And so, all being in readiness, they calmly
awaited the attack.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE INDIAN ATTACK.
For nearly half an hour the occupants of the tower remained without
hearing the smallest sound. Then there was a slight jarring noise.
"They are getting over the fence," Mr. Hardy whispered.
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