In an instant, however, he saw Rupert standing with his back to a wall, with a dead man at his feet, and four others hacking and thrusting at him.
Rushing up, Hugh fired his two pistols.

One of the men dropped to the ground, the other with an oath reeled backwards.
"Quick, sir! there are a dozen men just upon us." Rupert ran one of his opponents through the shoulder, and as the other drew back shouted to Hugh, "Up the stairs, Hugh! Quick!" The two lads sprang up the wide steps leading to the floor above, just as the doorway was darkened by a mass of men.

The door at the top of the steps yielded to their rush, the rotten woodwork giving, and the door falling to the ground.

Two or three pistol bullets whizzed by their ears, just as they leapt through the opening.
"Up another floor, Hugh; and easy with the door." The door at the top of the next ladder creaked heavily as they pushed it back on its hinges.
"Look about, Hugh, for something to pile against it." The shutters of the window were closed, but enough light streamed through the chinks and crevices for them to see dimly.

There was odd rubbish strewn all about, and in one corner a heap of decaying sacks.