It is well if the Roundheads at Reading do not sally out and attack us, seeing how useful this ford would be to them." "I agree with you, Jacob, and we will forthwith set to work to render the place as defensible as we may." "We had best defend the other side of the ford, if they advance," Jacob said.

"We could make a far better stand there." "That is true, Jacob; but though we could there bar them from entering our country, they, if they obtained the village, would shut the door to our entering theirs.

No, it is clear that it our duty to defend the village as long as we can, if we should be attacked." Harry now set his men to work to make loopholes in the cottages and inclosure walls, and to connect the latter by banks of earth, having thorn branches set on the top.

Just at the ford itself stood a large water-mill, worked by a stream which here ran into the river.

Harry placed sacks before all the windows, leaving only loopholes through which to fire.