Chapter I: Preface

_The Rock of the Lion_ is not a history of the siege of Gibraltar, although the story of that immortal siege of 1779-83 has been closely studied and followed in preparing this book for young readers. The writer has used the romancer's just and inalienable right to introduce real persons and events whenever it would be of service to the story. Only one liberty has been taken with chronology; it refers to Paul Jones, and is unimportant in character.

MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL.

ILLUSTRATIONS

BASKERVILLE'S EYES FOLLOWED THE COURSE OF THE "SEAHORSE" _Frontispiece_

"HE PUT THE CANDLE DOWN AND DROPPED UPON THE SETTEE" _Facing p._ 38

THE LANDLADY STOOD BETWEEN ARCHY AND THE OFFICER " 78

"'PERHAPS YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT I AM AN AMERICAN'" " 106

"ARCHY MAKES AWAY WITH A BAG OF POTATOES FOR MRS. CURTIS" " 132

LANGTON WAS TAKEN DOWN THE HILL IN A WHEELBARROW " 166

HE SAW AN OFFICER LYING IN A DITCH " 200

"ISABEL AND MARY EXTENDED THEIR HANDS TO PAUL JONES" " 278

THE ROCK OF THE LION