Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/174

158 when your house is protected by lights, a dog, and fire-arms; and goes to prove also the decisive victory which would have attended one other precaution which we recommended—viz. a bell, hung on the outside of the house — but which was here wanting.

Mr. W having occasion to leave home, for some days, the house was left under the protection of his lady and two maid servants: this circumstance was known; and an hour after dark the house was beset by two or three men, who were suspected of no good intentions, so the doors were well fastened by the female inhabitants. The lights were kept in, and all three kept strict watch; so that the first attack did not take place until eleven o'clock, which was commenced with fruitless endeavours to enter by the front door. Mrs. W here shewed that heroism, which sometimes, though seldom, discovers itself in the female character, upon great or paramount occasions. She flew to the door, which they were at that moment forcing with a crow, as is supposed; from the inside she harangued them, with promise of a warm reception for the first that should enter; and ordered down the blunderbuss, &c. for that purpose. "I shall not prevent your coming in," said she, "but be