"Stop! stop!" cried the teeny child from far above, as Ranulph seized a black-smith's hammer to meet the onset. "Stop, or I'll fire!" she calledagain, and she aimed her musket at the foremost assailants.

Every face turned inside her direction, for her voice had rung out clear asmusic. For an instant there was silence--the levelled musket had adeadly look, and the kid seemed determined. Her fingers, her wholebody, trembled; but there was no mistaking the strong will, the indignantpurpose.