fixed them to
their rifles. A second call pealed forth, and the towropes were cast
off, oars splashed into the water, and, with a wild exulting yell from
their occupants, the boats dashed for the shore, the men in them hurling
themselves into the shallow water as the keels ground into the beach.

And now the time had plainly come for the rebels to make their last
stand. They were hemmed in on three sides--on one side by the fire,
which was now raging furiously; on the opposite side by the cannon and
rifle fire from the fort; and on the third by the men from the ships,
who were now forming up in line on the beach. The only avenue of escape
left to them was in the direction of the town, nearly four miles
distant. But if they chose to retreat in that direction they could
scarcely avoid being cut to pieces by their pursuers; there seemed,
therefore, to be nothing for them but to remain where they were and
fight until they were overwhelmed by superior numbers, killing as many
of the enemy as possible before they died. And this was evidently what
they meant to do.

The two remaining field-pieces were brought close together, their
muzzles pointing seaward, and all the ammunition-boxes belonging to them
and to the wrecked guns were brought up and placed behind them. Then
the survivors from the day-long struggle formed up, three deep, on
either side of the guns, the first line lying down, the second kneeling,
and the third standing, so that the rear-rank men should not fire into
their comrades in front when the volley firing commenced. The gunners
loaded their guns to the very muzzle with solid shot--case, chain,
grape, and whatever else they could find--and then took up their
positions behind the pieces, waiting for the command to fire.

For a few tense seconds the two bodies of men remained motionless,
forming a tremendously impressive tableau. There was the line of
uniformed Chinese soldiery, their bayoneted rifles held at the charge,
their officers standing in front and on the flanks with drawn swords;
and on the other side was the little body of rebels, smoke-grimed,
blood-stained, ragged and weary, but with indomitable resolution written
all over them. Then the Chinese bugles again sounded, the officers
shouted a word of command, and the landing party, with a wild yell of
defiance, charged headlong up the beach, their swords and bayonets
flashing in the lurid light of the flames. But they had scarcely
covered