Horses were all through the grounds; Fred heard them, and the savage, unearthly cries of their riders.

For the first minute there was a good deal of firing.

He guessed that the firing squad that had been meant for him was putting up a stiff struggle; later he knew it.
Then abruptly it was all over.

There was no sound save the groans of wounded men.

The firing ceased, and with it the fierce shouts of those who had invaded the garden at that most critical of moments.