A groan was answer to the shot, even before the exclamation of the leader was made.

Young Desha fell back, shot through the body.

His friends at first did not know that any one had been hurt, but to lie still under fire ill suited their wild temper.

With a common impulse, and without order, they emptied their guns into the mass of dark figures ranged along the beach.

The air was filled with shouts and curses.