Right through them it swept, leaving a wide lane of dead and dying; and such a shriek went up to heaven as even that place of torment had never heard.
Then they broke and fled this way and that, screaming curses as they went.
When Leonard and the priest had rolled down the rising bridge they found Juanna standing safely by the guard-house, surrounded by some of the Settlement men.
"To the gun!" he cried, "to the gun! Fire into them! I will follow you." Then it was that he saw Otter left to his death and called out in fear.
But Otter saved himself as has been told, and clambered down the bridge safe and sound.
Leaning on the dwarf and Francisco, Leonard, followed by Juanna, staggered along the earthwork to the place where the gun was mounted.
Before he had gone a step he caught sight of the figure of Soa, outlined in bold relief against the background of the fire and surrounded by many of the freed Settlement men.

At the instant when he saw her she was in the act of springing back from the breech of the gun, the lanyard in her hand.

Then came the roar of the shot and the shriek of the smitten.
"_Wow!_" said Otter, "the old woman has not been idle.

She is clever as a man, that one." Another minute and they were helping to reload the piece, that is, except Soa, who was on her knees kissing Juanna's hands.
"Come, stop that!" said Leonard, sinking to the ground, for he was utterly exhausted.

"Those devils have gone for their arms.