But they had hoped to break through unperceived, and possibly the violence of my attack misled them into a belief in numbers.

They drew off along the shingle, and I leaned back against the side of the tunnel and panted for my life.
I heard a discussion going on, and presently they were at work at something, but I could not make out what.
I took advantage of the lull to strengthen my defences with some boats' masts and any odd timbers I could find and lift, till I thought it impossible that any man should get through.
But I was wrong.

There came a sudden roar outside, and a shot of size came crashing through my barricade, sending pieces of it flying wildly.

They had a carronade, and had had to shift the boat to the end of the shingle to get the mouth of the tunnel into the line of fire.
Then I began to fear.

Men I could fight, but carronades were beyond me.
Still, even when they had knocked my barrier to pieces, the men must come at last.