Just then the splash of water was heard, followed by shrieks of agony.

“Oh, God!  I’m scalded!  I’m scalded!” cried one of the men upon the steps.  “Take me away! take me away!”

In the midst of his cries another volume of scalding water came pouring down upon the group at the door, which was followed by a rush from the premises.

“What is that—­who could have done that—­where has that water come from?” asked Mr. Walters, as he saw the seething shower pass the window, and fall upon the heads below.  “I must go and see.”

He ran upstairs, and found Kinch and Caddy busy putting on more water, they having exhausted one kettle-full—­into which they had put two or three pounds of cayenne pepper—­on the heads of the crowd below.

“We gave ’em a settler, didn’t we, Mr. Walters?” asked Caddy, as he entered the room.  “It takes us; we fight with hot water.  This,” said she, holding up a dipper, “is my gun.  I guess we made ’em squeal.”

“You’ve done well, Caddy,” replied he—­“first-rate, my girl.  I believe you’ve driven them off entirely,” he continued, peeping out of the window.  “They are going off, at any rate,” said he, drawing in his head; “whether they will return or not is more than I can say.  Keep plenty of hot water, ready, but don’t expose yourselves, children.  Weren’t you afraid to go to the window?” he asked.

“We didn’t go near it.  Look at this,” replied Caddy, fitting a broom handle into the end of a very large tin dipper.  “Kinch cut this to fit; so we have nothing to do but to stand back here, dip up the water, and let them have it; the length of the handle keeps us from being seen from the street.  That was Kinch’s plan.”

“And a capital one it was too.  Your head, Kinch, evidently has no batter within, if it has without; there is a great deal in that.  Keep a bright look out,” continued Mr. Walters; “I’m going downstairs.  If they come again, let them have plenty of your warm pepper-sauce.”

On returning to the drawing-room, Mr. Walters found Mr. Dennis, one of the company, preparing to go out.  “I’m about to avail myself of the advantage afforded by my fair complexion, and play the spy,” said he.  “They can’t discern at night what I am, and I may be able to learn some of their plans.”

“A most excellent idea,” said Mr. Walters; “but pray be careful.  You may meet some one who will recognise you.”

“Never fear,” replied Mr. Dennis.  “I’ll keep a bright look out for that.”  And, drawing his cap far down over his eyes, to screen his face as much as possible, he sallied out into the street.

He had not been absent more than a quarter of an hour, when he returned limping into the house.  “Have they attacked you—­are you hurt?” asked the anxious group by which he was surrounded.