tack, as soon as it was light enough to see plainly, and
the firing of four guns was to be the order for the rush on the part of
the main force.

All awaited the signal with impatience. Soon the firing was heard, and
instantaneously, as though expecting it, the Illyas were seen rushing
through the village to the western line.

John gave the word. To approach close to the breastworks without firing
a gun, and not to discharge a single piece until they were well within
the fortified line.

The entire force moved forward at the shots. The line of entrenchments
was reached, and John, with Uraso by his side, was the first to leap
over. They halted fifty feet beyond the ridge, to allow the warriors to
come in and form the line, those having the guns in front.

With a shout, the allies bounded forward, withholding their fire until
the command should be given. The Illyas up to this time were principally
arranged along the western wall, discharging their arrows at the force
under Muro.

The appearance of the allies within the walls was such a terrible
surprise that all semblance of order was lost in their ranks. They
began to scatter. Uraso shouted out in stentorian tones:

"Throw down your arms, or we will fire. Surrender and you will not be
killed."

John and the front line were now alongside of the second building, the
one described by him as having the columns of the Ionic order, which had
interested the boys so much.

Notwithstanding the excitement of the moment, Harry could not help
looking at the building with its tawdry and crumbling columns, and in
doing so espied a half dozen peculiarly garbed Illyas rushing out and
attempting to escape to the north along the narrow street.

Calling a dozen warriors, he, with George, made a rush after the
escaping fugitives, and before the limit of the village was reached they
were surrounded and carried back.

The Illyas warriors were now in a panic. There seemed to be no one to
order a surrender or a retreat. John ordered Uraso to have his men
spread out to prevent escape in either direction, and as he turned to
execute the order, Harry and George returned with the prisoners.

At the sight of the captives Uraso shouted the order to his men, and
quickly turning to John, who was slightly in the advance, cried out:
"Here are the chief and his principal advisers."

John turned to look and noticed that they were surrounded by the men in
charge of Harry and George.

"Good