A cry of rage burst from them, and there was a general discharge of their guns, the balls pattering thickly against the stones.
The soldiers now fired as quickly as they could load, doing considerable execution.

Their foes left the road, and imitated them by taking shelter behind stones.

For ten minutes the combat continued, and then a party of men were seen, mounting the hill on either side.
"That is just what I hoped for," Desmond said.

"Fire at them, so as to force them to climb a little higher up the hill.

As soon as they are pretty well out of gunshot, we will mount and charge down the road.