Their comrades behind, ignorant of what was going on, still pressed up, and it was not until the screams and shouts of those in front, and the pressure downwards, brought the column to a stand and then bore it backward, that they learned that the defenders had taken the offensive, and were sweeping all before them.

Then a panic arose, and the peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting them as they passed with another volley of rocks.

Halfway down the hill Hector halted his men, and led them up to the intrenchment again over a road encumbered with dead bodies.
"I think that will do," he said.

"After the tale those who have got down safely will have to tell, we may be sure they will do nothing until morning, and it may well be that they may think it advisable to be off to attack some other place not so strongly defended.

However, we will presently beat them up, and if possible capture their cannon, and without them they could not hope to take any fortified house well defended." For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men shouting and quarrelling, of others trying in vain to make their voices heard, and to address the excited peasants.