closely pressed, let no man empty his musket until his comrade on the right has reloaded, so that there will always be some shots in reserve.  Should they rush on in spite of the fire, I shall give the order, ‘Empty your muskets and fix bayonets,’ and we will then charge them.  Hunter, you and your three comrades and Paolo will keep close to me, and if we find the men wavering at any point we will go to their assistance.  If, however, we charge, remember that you six men I told off to guard the turret are at once to pass through the gates and take up your post on the steps, for some of them may slip in behind us and endeavour to rush up.”

The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers mounted the steps, had been seized by the peasants, and tied up to some trees close by when the latter began to feast.  They had been recovered when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville’s company and had then been placed in the courtyard of the castle.  As soon as the alarm was given, Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had mounted.  The three officers were also on horseback.

“In case the company charges, Mieville,” he said, “we nine mounted men can cover the rear and charge any of the insurgents who try to rush in and take them in the rear.  I hope that we shall keep them off with our musketry fire; but I don’t disguise from myself that if they fall upon us at close quarters we shall have to fight hard.  Ah, here they come!”

Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau a great crowd of men poured out, shouting and yelling furiously, and brandishing their rough weapons, which shone blood red in the glow of the fire in the ruins.  Someone had evidently been placed on the watch, and had told them where the troops had taken up their post, for they came on without hesitation, bearing outwards until they faced the centre of the line, at a distance of fifty yards; then one of the men, who appeared to be the leader, shouted an order, and they rushed impetuously forward.  The front line at once opened fire.  Many of the peasants dropped, while the others hesitated a little, and so gave the men who had first fired time to reload; but, urged on by the shouts of their leaders, the peasants again rushed forward.

“Fire a volley, and then fix bayonets!” Hector shouted.  The fifty muskets flashed out, and as the peasants were but fifteen yards away every shot told, and their front rank was completely swept away.

“Every other man in the second line fire!” Hector ordered, and twenty-five shots added to the confusion among the peasants.  The slaughter, however, only had the effect of maddening the great crowd, who numbered upwards of two thousand, and with a howl of fury they rushed forward again.  Hector waited until they almost touched the row of bayonets, and then gave the order for the remaining men to fire and all to fix bayonets.  The instant this was