"The two rear ranks will now fire!" he said.
The men dropped their pikes, and two volleys of musketry were poured into the insurgents.

Those of the front line were swept away by the fire, and for a moment the whole recoiled.
"Now, men," Hector shouted, "cross the breastwork and sweep them away with your pikes!" With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment.

There was room for ten abreast, and in a treble line with levelled spears they bore down upon the rebels.

The charge was irresistible.

A few of the leaders of the peasants threw themselves on to the spears and died there, the others strove, but in vain, to fly.