Quick-not a moment to lose! Steady! You're all right, my boy; you've got nerve, and that's the thing.

Good-bye, Nic, good luck to you!" They grasped hands: the door opened swiftly, and Nic stepped outside.

In an instant Ferrol was at the loophole.

Raising a rifle, he fired, then again and again.

Through the loophole he could see a half-dozen men lift a log to advance on the door as Nic passed a couple of officers, coughing hard, and making spasmodic motions with his hand, as though exhausted and unable to speak.
He fired again, and a soldier fell.