"Come, Ercole!" And without waiting for more, he leapt down the steps with an agility surprising in one so heavily armed as he.
They were no more than in time.

As they gained the courtyard the men came sweeping along towards the gates, their voices raucous and threatening.

They were full of assurance.

All hell they thought could not have hindered them, and yet at sight of that tall figure, bright as an angel, in his panoply of glittering steel, with that great sword poised on his left shoulder, some of the impetuousness seemed to fall from them.
Still they advanced, Cappoccio's voice shouting encouragement.

Almost were they within range of that lengthy sword, when of a sudden it flashed from his shoulder, and swept a half-circle of dazzling light before their eyes.