rench
soldiers on the roofs pushed down cautiously nearer and nearer to
their prey; but presently, when I thought that they had almost won
their way, a shower of bricks and heavy stones was sent at them by
unseen hands with such savageness and skill that another man was
placed _hors-de-combat,_ and came down groaning with his head split.
His, however, was only a scalp wound, and, discovering that a bandage
left him practically none the worse, he took his place with savage
curses at a corner just beyond the main gate, fixing his bayonet in
grim preparation for the end. Decidedly there would be no quarter when
that end came.

But there appeared to be, nevertheless, no means of bringing about the
desired climax. The defenders showed their alertness by occasional
shots that grated harshly on the still air, and the attack could make
no progress. I wondered what would happen. Yet it did not last long,
for Providence was at work. Two Cossacks came cantering along the
street, bearing some message from a Russian command; and although
warning shouts were sent at them, too, as they approached, they paid
no heed, but rode carelessly by. As they came abreast of the main gate
a sudden volley, which made their mounts swerve so badly that less
adept horsemen would have been flung heavily to the ground, greeted
them and sent them careering wildly for a few yards. But here were men
who understood this kind of warfare. First, it is true, they were a
little angry as they pulled up, unslung their carbines and shot home
cartridges as if they would act like the rest.... But then, when they
saw how things were, they grinned in some delight, and finally
dismounting and driving their beasts with shouts off the road, they
prepared to join the fray. With renewed interest I watched them go to
work.

A little inspection showed the newcomers that the pawn-shop was too
difficult to capture by direct assault unless special means were
adopted, for such places being constructed with a view to resisting
the attacks of robbers even in peaceful times, are nearly always
little citadels in themselves. They are the people's banks. For some
time the two new arrivals walked stealthily around, with their
carbines in their hands, peering here and there, and trying to find a
weak spot. Then one man said something to the other, and they
disappeared into a neighbouring house, only to emerge almost
immediately with some bundles of straw and some wood. To their mind