Hundreds of tarred and burning hoops were skilfully quoited around the necks of the soldiers, who struggled in vain to extricate themselves from these fiery ruffs, while as fast as any of the invaders planted foot upon the breach, they were confronted face to face with sword and dagger by the burghers, who hurled them headlong into the moat below.
"Thrice was the attack renewed with ever-increasing rage--thrice repulsed with unflinching fortitude.

The storm continued four hours long.

During all that period, not one of the defenders left his post, till he dropped from it dead or wounded.

The women and children, unscared by the balls flying in every direction, or by the hand-to-hand conflicts on the ramparts, passed steadily to and fro from the arsenals to the fortifications, constantly supplying their fathers, husbands, and brothers with powder and ball.

Thus, every human being in the city that could walk had become a soldier.