“If we could manage it—­and I think we may—­then the sooner the affair is brought to an issue the better.”

Moggy had now taken a musket on her shoulder, and was pacing up and down the edge of the flat in imitation of a sentry.  She was soon pointed out, and a titter ran through the whole line:  at last, as the major approached, she called out,

“I say, soger, what are you doing here? keep off, or I’ll put a bullet in your jacket.”

“My good woman,” replied the major, while his men laughed, “we do not want to hurt you, but you must surrender.”

“Surrender!” cried Moggy, “who talks of surrender?—­hoist the colours there.”

Up went the chemise to the end of the pole, and Smallbones grinned as he hoisted it.

“My good woman, we must obey our orders.”

“And I must obey mine,” retorted Moggy.  “Turn out the guard there.”

All the women now made their appearance, as had been arranged, with muskets on their shoulders, headed by little Lilly, with her drawn sword.

The sight of the child commanding the detachment was hailed with loud cheers and laughter.

“That will do, that will do,” cried Sir Robert, fearful for Lilly, “let them come in again.”

“They’ll not fire first at all events,” cried Moggy, “never fear, sir.  Guard, turn in,” continued she; upon which, Lilly and her squadron then disappeared.

“Upon my honour this is too ridiculous,” said Lieutenant Dillon.

“Upon my soul I don’t know what is to be done,” rejoined the major.

“Moggy, we must commence hostilities somehow or another,” cried Sir Robert from within.  Smallbones here came out with his musket to release Moggy, and Moggy retired into the cave.

The major, who imagined that there must be a path to the cave on the other side, now advanced with the determination of finding it out, and somehow or another putting an end to this unusual warfare.

“If you please you’ll keep back, or I’ll fire,” cried Smallbones, levelling his musket.

The major went on, heedless of the threat.  Smallbones discharged his piece, and the major fell.

“Confound that she-devil!—­Are you hurt, major?” cried Lieutenant Dillon.

“Yes, I am—­I can’t move.”

Another shot was now fired, and the sergeant fell.

“Hell and flames! what must we do?”

But now the whole party of smugglers poured out of the cave as women with bonnets on, and commenced a murderous fire upon the troops who fell in all directions.  The captain who had assumed the command, now attempted to find his way to the other side of the cave, where he had no doubt he should find the entrance, but in so doing the soldiers were exposed to a most galling fire, without being able to return it.