ght away, so as to weaken him, and
now they have got back first, or this is another force."

As I stood at that window, I, for the moment, thought of throwing myself
down, but the attempt would have been madness, for the moon was now up
nearly full, and helping the torches to flood the place with light which
flashed from the tank, and made the fountain resemble molten silver.

I gave up the thought at once, for I could see a strong guard were
watching my windows, and that I was carefully observed as I sat down and
listened to the increasing roar away to my right, where the shouting,
cheering, and yelling were mingled strangely with the bursts of firing
which grew nearer.

I seemed to see the fight going on, and grew more excited moment by
moment, as I knew by the sounds exactly how matters progressed. For, as
I judged, a body of infantry was fighting its way along a street, and
every now and then a sharp volley was heard, followed by a tremendous
cheer, which suggested to me that the men fired, and then made a rush
forward, driving their enemies back; and then after a short space
another volley was fired, followed by a fresh rush, and so on, the
fusillade sounding each time nearer.

"They are carrying everything before them," I thought; for though there
was plenty of firing in return, it was scattered and desultory, and,
even if I could see nothing, I was perfectly sure that the defenders of
the town were giving way, though perhaps only to make a more desperate
stand as they were driven together.

Then all at once my heart leaped, for there was the sound of a gun to my
left, in the direction where I believed the great gate stood through
which we had entered the town that night.

Then another heavy thud came, and another as the guns were brought into
action, and their point must be, I felt sure, to batter down the gate,
to admit a fresh attacking force, whose duty would be to take the
defenders in the rear.

The effect on the guards in the court was startling. Several ran to the
gateway to question the sentry there eagerly, and then return to their
companions.

Then came the rattle of musketry from the left, evidently in answer to
the firing of the heavy guns which were battering the gates; but it had
no effect, for the pieces were being served with the greatest
regularity, and I listened eagerly, wondering whether it could be
Brace's troop, and how soon they would open a way for the infantry which
I felt sur