The people crowded round him. "The Colonel wishes me to act for him. Our only chance of saving the house is to set to work systematically. I forbid any one to enter it for the present."
"But my trunks," cried Lady Brabazon; "I will order my people to save my trunks!"
This raised a laugh; but Eureton's answer to it came in the shape of an order. "Sergeant Maxwell," he said, "if any one attempts to enter the house without leave, you will have him arrested."
"Yes, sir."
The sergeant was there with a body of about forty old soldiers.
"Captains of numbers one, two, three, four, and five companies!" shouted the Adjutant. They came forward. "You will form a cordon with your men round the front of the house, and prevent any unauthorized person from breaking it. All who enter the cordon will be considered as volunteers, and set to carry water. They will not be allowed to get out of it again, on any pretext."
"Now send me Colonel Stanburne's men-servants."
Several men presented themselves. "Fetch every thing you can lay your hands on in the out-houses that will hold water."
"Pray accept me as a volunteer, Captain Eureton," said the Duke.