’Well，mybowerhasserveditstime’，saidLorna，blushingassherememberedallthathadhappenedthere；
’andmybowernowishere，John。ButIamsosorrytothinkofallthepoorwomenfloodedoutoftheirhousesandshelteringinthesnowdrifts。However，thereisonegoodofit：theycannotsendmanymenagainstus，withallthistroubleuponthem。’
’Youareright，’Ireplied；’howcleveryouare!andthatiswhytherewereonlythreetocutoffMasterStickles。Andnowweshallbeatthem，Imakenodoubt，eveniftheycomeatall。AndIdefythemtofirethehouse：thethatchistoowetforburning。’
Wesentallthewomentobedquiteearly，exceptGwennyCarfaxandouroldBetty。Thesetwoweallowedtostayup，becausetheymightbeusefultous，iftheycouldkeepfromquarreling。Formypart，Ihadlittlefear，afterwhatLornahadtoldme，astotheresultofthecombat。ItwasnotlikelythattheDoonescouldbringmorethaneightortenmenagainstus，whiletheirhomeswereinsuchdanger：andtomeetthesewehadeightgoodmen，includingJeremy，andmyself，allwellarmedandresolute，besidesourthreefarm-servants，andtheparish-clerk，andtheshoemaker。Thesefivecouldnotbetrustedmuchforanyvaliantconduct，althoughtheyspokeveryconfidentlyovertheircansofcider。Neitherweretheirweaponsfittedformuchexecution，unlessitwereatclosequarters，whichtheywouldbelikelytoavoid。BillDaddshadasickle，JemSlocombeaflail，thecobblerhadborrowedtheconstable’sstafffortheconstablewouldnotattend，becausetherewasnowarrant，andtheparishclerkhadbroughthispitch-pipe，whichwasenoughtobreakanyman’shead。ButJohnFry，ofcourse，hadhisblunderbuss，loadedwithtin-tacksandmarbles，andmorelikelytokillthemanwhodischargeditthananyotherperson：butweknewthatJohnhaditonlyforshow，andtodescribeitsqualities。
Nowitwasmygreatdesire，andmychiefesthope，tocomeacrossCarverDoonethatnight，andsettlethescorebetweenus；notbyanyshotinthedark，butbyaconflictmantoman。Asyet，sinceIcametofull-grownpower，IhadnevermetanyonewhomIcouldnotplayteetotumwith：butnowatlastIhadfoundamanwhosestrengthwasnottobelaughedat。Icouldguessitinhisface，Icouldtellitinhisarms，I
couldseeitinhisstrideandgait，whichmorethanalltherestbetraythesubstanceofaman。Andbeingsowellusedtowrestling，andtojudgeantagonists，I
feltthathereifanywhereIhadfoundmymatch。
ThereforeIwasnotcontenttoabidewithinthehouse，orgotheroundswiththetroopers；butbetookmyselftotherickyard，knowingthattheDooneswerelikelytobegintheironsetthere。Fortheyhadapleasantcustom，whentheyvisitedfarm-houses，oflightingthemselvestowardspickingupanythingtheywanted，orstabbingtheinhabitants，byfirstcreatingablazeintherickyard。Andthoughourrickswereallnowofmerestrawexceptindeedtwoofprimeclover-hay，andalthoughonthetoptheyweresowetthatnofirebrandsmighthurtthem；Iwasbothunwillingtohavethemburned，andfearfulthattheymightkindle，ifwellrousedupwithfireuponthewindwardside。
Bythebye，theseDooneshadgottheworstofthispleasanttrickonetime。ForhappeningtofirethericksofalonelyfarmcalledYeanworthy，notfaraboveGlenthorne，theyapproachedthehousetogetpeople’sgoods，andtoenjoytheirterror。Themasterofthefarmwaslatelydead，andhadleft，insidetheclock-case，loaded，thegreatlonggun，wherewithhehadusedtosportattheducksandthegeeseontheshore。NowWidowFishertookoutthisgun，andnotcaringmuchwhatbecameofherforshehadlovedherhusbanddearly，shelaidituponthewindow-sill，whichlookedupontherick-yard；andshebackedupthebuttwithachestofoakdrawers，andsheopenedthewindowalittleback，andletthemuzzleoutontheslope。PresentlyfiveorsixfineyoungDoonescamedancingareelastheirmannerwasbetwixtherandtheflamingrick。Uponwhichshepulledthetriggerwithalltheforceofherthumb，andaquarterofapoundofduck-shotwentoutwithablazeonthedancers。Youmaysupposewhattheirdancingwas，andtheirreelinghowchangedtostaggering，andtheirmusicnoneofthesweetest。Oneofthemfellintotherick，andwasburned，andburiedinaditchnextday；
buttheothersweresetupontheirhorses，andcarriedhomeonapathofblood。Andstrangetosay，theyneveravengedthisverydreadfulinjury；buthavingheardthatawomanhadfiredthisdesperateshotamongthem，theysaidthatsheoughttobeaDoone，andinquiredhowoldshewas。
NowIhadnotbeensoverylongwaitinginourmow-yard，withmybestgunready，andabigclubbyme，beforeaheavinessofsleepbegantocreepuponme。
Theflowofwaterwasinmyears，andinmyeyesahazyspreading，anduponmybrainaclosure，asacobblersewsavampup。SoIleanedbackintheclover-rick，andthedustoftheseedandthesmellcameroundme，withoutanytrouble；andIdozedaboutLorna，justonceortwice，andwhatshehadsaidaboutnew-mownhay；andthenbackwentmyhead，andmychinwentup；andifeveramanwasblestwithslumber，downitcameuponme，andawaywentIintoit。
Nowthiswasveryvileofme，andagainstallgoodresolutions，evensuchasIwouldhavesworntoanhouragoorless。ButifyouhadbeeninthewaterasI
had，ay，andhadlongfightwithit，afteragoodday’swork，andthengreatanxietyafterwards，andbrain-workwhichisnotfairforme，anduponthatastoutsupper，mayhapyouwouldnotbesohardonmysleep；
thoughyoufeltityourdutytowakeme。
Itwasnotlikelythattheoutlawswouldattackoutpremisesuntilsometimeafterthemoonwasrisen；
becauseitwouldbetoodangeroustocrossthefloodedvalleysinthedarknessofthenight。Andbutforthisconsideration，Imusthavestrivenharderagainstthestealthyapproachofslumber。Butevenso，itwasveryfoolishtoabandonwatch，especiallyinsuchasI，whosleeplikeanydormouse。Moreover，Ihadchosentheveryworstplaceintheworldforsuchemployment，withagoodlychanceofawakeninginabedofsolidfire。
Andsoitmighthavebeen，nay，itmusthavebeen，butforLorna’svigilance。Herlighthanduponmyarmawokeme，nottooreadily；andleapingup，Iseizedmyclub，andpreparedtoknockdownsomebody。
’Who’sthat？’Icried；’standback，Isay，andletmehavefairchanceatyou。’
’Areyougoingtoknockmedown，dearJohn？’repliedthevoiceIlovedsowell；’IamsureIshouldnevergetupagain，afteroneblowfromyou，John。’
’Mydarling，isityou？’Icried；’andbreakingallyourorders？Comebackintothehouseatonce：andnothingonyourhead，dear!’
’HowcouldIsleep，whileatanymomentyoumighthekilledbeneathmywindow？Andnowisthetimeofrealdanger；formencanseetotravel。’
Isawatoncethetruthofthis。Themoonwashighandclearlylightingallthewateredvalleys。Tosleepanylongermightbedeath，notonlytomyself，butall。
’Themanonguardatthebackofthehouseisfastasleep，’shecontinued；’Gwenny，wholetmeout，andcamewithme，hasheardhimsnoringfortwohours。I
thinkthewomenoughttobethewatch，becausetheyhavehadnotravelling。WheredoyousupposelittleGwennyis？’
’SurelynotgonetoGlenDoone？’Iwasnotsure，however：forIcouldbelievealmostanythingoftheCornishmaiden’shardihood。
’No，’repliedLorna，’althoughshewantedeventodothat。ButofcourseIwouldnothearofit，onaccountoftheswollenwaters。Butsheisperchedonyondertree，whichcommandstheBarrowvalley。Shesaysthattheyarealmostsuretocrossthestreamletthere；andnowitissowideandlarge，thatshecantraceitinthemoonlight，halfamilebeyondher。Iftheycross，sheissuretoseethem，andingoodtimetoletusknow。’
’Whatashame，’Icried，’thatthemenshouldsleep，andthemaidensbethesoldiers!Iwillsitinthattreemyself，andsendlittleGwennybacktoyou。Gotobed，mybestanddearest；Iwilltakegoodcarenottosleepagain。’
’Pleasenottosendmeaway，dearJohn，’sheansweredverymournfully；’youandIhavebeentogetherthroughperilsworsethanthis。Ishallonlybemoretimid，andmoremiserable，indoors。’
’Icannotletyoustayhere，’Isaid；’itisaltogetherimpossible。DoyousupposethatIcanfight，withyouamongthebullets，Lorna？Ifthisisthewayyoumeantotakeit，wehadbettergobothtotheapple-room，andlockourselvesin，andhideunderthetiles，andletthemburnalltherestofthepremises。’
AtthisideaLornalaughed，asIcouldseebythemoonlight；andthenshesaid，——
’Youareright，John。Ishouldonlydomoreharmthangood：andofallthingsIhatefightingmost，anddisobediencenexttoit。ThereforeIwillgoindoors，althoughIcannotgotobed。Butpromisemeonething，dearestJohn。Youwillkeepyourselfoutoftheway，nowwon’tyou，asmuchasyoucan，formysake？’
’Ofthatyoumaybequitecertain，Lorna。Iwillshootthemallthroughthehay-ricks。’
’Thatisright，dear，’sheanswered，neverdoubtingbutwhatIcoulddoit；’andthentheycannotseeyou，youknow。Butdon’tthinkofclimbingthattree，John；itisagreatdealtoodangerous。ItisallverywellforGwenny；shehasnobonestobreak。’
’Noneworthbreaking，youmean，Isuppose。Verywell；
Iwillnotclimbthetree，forIshoulddefeatmyownpurpose，Ifear；beingsuchaconspicuousobject。Nowgoindoors，darling，withoutmorewords。Themoreyoulinger，themoreIshallkeepyou。’
Shelaughedherownbrightlaughatthis，andonlysaid，’Godkeepyou，love!’andthenawayshetrippedacrosstheyard，withthestepIlovedtowatchso。
AndthereuponIshoulderedarms，andresolvedtotramptillmorning。ForIwasvexedatmyownneglect，andthatLornashouldhavetorightit。
ButbeforeIhadbeenlongonduty，makingtheroundofthericksandstables，andhailingGwennynowandthenfromthebottomofhertree，ashortwidefigurestoletowardsme，inandouttheshadows，andIsawthatitwasnootherthanthelittlemaidherself，andthatsheboresometidings。
’Tenon’emcrossedthewatterdownyonner，’saidGwenny，puttingherhandtohermouth，andseemingtoregarditasgoodnewsratherthanotherwise：’bearlcrapingupbyhedgerownow。Icouldshuttdreeon’emfromthebarofthegate，ifsobeIhadyourgoon，youngman。’
’Thereisnotimetolose，Gwenny。RuntothehouseandfetchMasterStickles，andallthemen；whileI
stayhere，andwatchtherick-yard。’
PerhapsIwaswronginheedingthericksatsuchatimeasthat；especiallyasonlythecloverwasofmuchimportance。Butitseemedtomelikeasortoftriumphthattheyshouldbeevenabletoboastofhavingfiredourmow-yard。ThereforeIstoodinanickoftheclover，whencewehadcutsometrusses，withmyclubinhand，andguncloseby。
Therobbersrodeintoouryardascoollyasiftheyhadbeeninvited，havingliftedthegatefromthehingesfirstonaccountofitsbeingfastened。Thentheyactuallyopenedourstable-doors，andturnedourhonesthorsesout，andputtheirownroguesintheplaceofthem。Atthismybreathwasquitetakenaway；
forwethinksomuchofourhorses。BythistimeI
couldseeourtroopers，waitingintheshadowofthehouse，roundthecornerfromwheretheDooneswere，andexpectingtheordertofire。ButJeremySticklesverywiselykepttheminreadiness，untiltheenemyshouldadvanceuponthem。
’Twoofyoulazyfellowsgo，’itwasthedeepvoiceofCarverDoone，’andmakeusalight，tocuttheirthroatsby。Onlyonething，onceagain。IfanymantouchesLorna，Iwillstabhimwherehestands。Shebelongstome。Therearetwootheryoungdamselshere，whomyoumaytakeawayifyouplease。Andthemother，Ihear，isstillcomely。Nowforourrights。Wehavebornetoolongtheinsolenceoftheseyokels。Killeveryman，andeverychild，andburnthecursedplacedown。’
Ashespokethusblasphemously，Isetmygunagainsthisbreast；andbythelightbuckledfromhisbelt，I
sawthelittle’sight’ofbrassgleamingalikeuponeitherside，andthesleekroundbarrelglimmering。
Theaimwassureasdeathitself。IfIonlydrewthetriggerwhichwentverylighilyCarverDoonewouldbreathenomore。Andyet——willyoubelieveme？——I
couldnotpullthetrigger。WouldtoGodthatIhaddoneso!
ForIneverhadtakenhumanlife，neitherdonebodilyharmtoman；beyondthelittlebruises，andthetriflingachesandpains，whichfollowagoodandhonestboutinthewrestlingring。ThereforeIdroppedmycarbine，andgraspedagainmyclub，whichseemedamorestraight-forwardimplement。
Presentlytwoyoungmencametowardsme，bearingbrandsofresinedhemp，kindledfromCarver’slamp。Theforemostofthemsethistorchtotherickwithinayardofme，andsmokeconcealingmefromhim。Istruckhimwithaback-handedblowontheelbow，ashebentit；andIheardtheboneofhisarmbreak，asclearlyaseverIheardatwigsnap。Witharoarofpainhefellontheground，andhistorchdroppedthere，andsingedhim。Theothermanstoodamazedatthis，nothavingyetgainedsightofme；tillIcaughthisfirebrandfromhishand，andstruckitintohiscountenance。Withthatheleapedatme；butIcaughthim，inamannerlearnedfromearlywrestling，andsnappedhiscollar-bone，asIlaidhimuponthetopofhiscomrade。
Thislittlesuccesssoencouragedme，thatIwashalfinclinedtoadvance，andchallengeCarverDoonetomeetme；butIboreinmindthathewouldbeapttoshootmewithoutceremony；andwhatistheutmostofhumanstrengthagainstthepowerofpowder？Moreover，I
rememberedmypromisetosweetLorna；andwhowouldbelefttodefendher，iftheroguesgotridofme？
WhileIwashesitatingthusforIalwayscontinuetohesitate，exceptinactualconflict，ablazeoffirelitupthehouse，andbrownsmokehungaroundit。SixofourmenhadletgoattheDoones，byJeremyStickles’order，asthevillainscameswaggeringdowninthemoonlightreadyforrapeormurder。Twoofthemfell，andtheresthungback，tothinkattheirleisurewhatthiswas。Theywerenotusedtothissortofthing：itwasneitherjustnorcourteous。
Beingunableanylongertocontainmyself，asIthoughtofLorna’sexcitementatallthisnoiseoffiring，I
cameacrosstheyard，expectingwhethertheywouldshootatme。However，nooneshotatme；andIwentuptoCarverDoone，whomIknewbyhissizeinthemoonlight，andItookhimbythebeard，andsaid，’Doyoucallyourselfaman？’
Foramomenthewassoastonishedthathecouldnotanswer。Nonehadeverdared，Isuppose，tolookathiminthatway；andhesawthathehadmethisequal，orperhapshismaster。Andthenhetriedapistolatme，butIwastooquickforhim。