what gave a super-added horror to the scene, was the influence which that light, that seemed to proceed from the vengeance of God, had upon that which proceeded from the vengeance of man.  The sheeted volume swept down, and for an instant poured over the blazing roofs, the tottering walls, the bleeding corpses and the black-visaged men who stood in multitudes about the place, panting with the mad intoxication of crime; it poured upon them, we say, a light so strong, penetrating, and intense, that its fearful distinctness was enough to paralyze the heart, and awe those who were present from the prosecution of their vengeance.  It was, in fact, as if the Almighty Himself had sent down His avenging angel from the heavens, to pour His light upon them, in order to bear testimony against the dreadful work of blood in which they were engaged.  Nor was this all.  Ere the pause was broken, a burst of thunder, so deep, so loud, and so terrible, in such an hour, pealed from a point of the sky on their right, taking its course in the direction of the proctor’s house, where, in one terrific explosion, it seemed to burst exactly over their heads.  Some were awed, but we all know that companionship fortifies the heart in the commission of crime, and in a few minutes the Almighty, His fires of vengeance,—­and His midnight thunders, were all alike forgotten.

The assault on the door was now renewed with, if possible, more ferocious violence; and it became evident to the unfortunate and now helpless inmates, that they must soon fall into the hands of those from whom they could expect no mercy.  We say they were in a helpless state; and this was occasioned by the explosion, which left them without ammunition, even if they had had their firearms.  Such, however, was their hurry in escaping from the falling roof, joined to the shock and stupor caused by the death of John and his father, that they thought not for a moment of anything but mere self-preservation.  Owing to these causes they brought no weapons of defence with them; and now, in consequence of the fallen roof and explosion, their fire-arms were beyond their reach, and useless.  They stood now ghastly—­their features rigid like those of the dead—­calm and without a tremor—­but with a melancholy fortitude that was as noble as it was rare and unprecedented.  At length Mrs. Purcel spoke:—­“Alick,” said she, “you must save yourself:  we may receive some mercy at the hands of these men, but you will not; hide yourself somewhere, and, when they come in, we will say that you perished with your father and brother.”

“No, my dear mother,” replied her son, “while I have life I will not separate from’ you and these dear girls.”

“This is madness,” observed Julia; “what can you expect?  Have we not witnessed bloodshed enough to-night already?—­or are you determined that we shall be compelled to witness your murder before our faces?  Oh, dear Alick, be advised by my mother; by secreting yourself, you may escape; but if you are found here, you will be instantly shot.”