“Who be ye?” demanded Zeb.

“The advance guard of two hundred Americans comin’ to help ye whip the Britisher.  Jist as we landed, afther crossing the mouth of the creek, the dirthy spalpeens fired on us; but we drove thim back, and here come our boys at double quick.”

Terrence was correct, for Fernando and his riflemen having cut their way through the British, hurried into the fort.  Captain Lane was amazed to find their friends led by the young Ohioan, whom he had entertained at his house five years before.

“Did you lose any of your men in the skirmish?” asked Captain Lane.

“Two were wounded, none killed or missing.  Has the Xenophon commenced the bombardment yet?”

“No; but she will as soon as the wind shifts to bring her in.”

“How many men have you capable of bearing arms, Captain Lane?” asked Fernando.

“Almost two hundred.”

“I have two hundred more, we will die together or beat off the ship.”

“Did General Winder send you to defend the town?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I will serve under you.  Captain Stevens.”

Fernando tried to get the old captain to assume command; but he said he was too old; that he would gladly advise him and serve with him and under him; but he did not want the responsibility of the command.  Then, all being quiet, Captain Lane went to his house to sleep and rest.

“He is gone,” said Fernando when left alone near the big gun; “gone and not a word said about Morgianna.  What will she say, what will she think, when she knows it is I who came to defend her?”

Fernando sighed and was very unhappy.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE SAVING SHOT.

Little or nothing could be done by Captain Stevens that night.  His men were exhausted, and threw themselves down anywhere and everywhere.  The proprietor of the tavern took Fernando, Sukey, Terrence and Lieutenant Willard of the marines to his house, where they were furnished beds and slept soundly.

The morning of September 14, 1814, came.  Fernando, at his request, was awakened early, and with Lieutenant Willard went out to examine the fort and artillery.  It was scarcely daylight when they mounted the works and gazed off the bay.  They could not see as far as Duck and Mud Islands, and sat down upon the gun carriages to await the rising of the sun.

A hundred stalwart Marylanders came from their houses with axes, picks and shovels, ready to resume work on the redoubt.

“Lieutenant Willard.” said Fernando, “your judgment is perhaps better than mine.  Will you give these men direction in regard to the works?”

Lieutenant Willard mounted the earthworks and walked along the entire line, closely inspecting them and directing the improvement of what was already quite a formidable fortification.

The guns were next examined and changed so as to more completely sweep the bay.  While the lieutenant was doing this, Fernando, with three or four fishermen went down to the water with a glass to take a look for the Xenophon.  She could be seen still anchored off Mud Island.