Two reports rang out at the same moment, and the men pitched heavily forward.

A yell of surprise and fury broke from the others, but ere they could step over their fallen comrades, Hector and his companion stood erect with their second pistols in their right hands and their axes ready for action in their left.
Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently missed, for the other four rushed forward.

Hector dashed the table aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward to meet their assailants.
"Mind the beams," Hector shouted, as with a sweeping side blow he clove in the head of one opponent.

But the warning came too late.

Paolo struck a downward blow, the axe caught the low beams of the ceiling, and it flew from his hand.