Staunchly as Walter's troopers maintained the defence, they were sorely pressed, for the enemy still outnumbered them by three to one.

Several times the Hessians almost forced their way in, at one or other of the windows, but each time Walter, who kept four men with him as a reserve, rushed to the assistance of the defenders of the windows and drove them back; but this could not last.

The defenders were hard pressed at several points, and Walter, feeling sure that his father would be up in a very few minutes, called the men off from their posts and stationed them on the staircase.
With shouts of triumph, the Hessians burst in.

The hall was filled with a crowd of furious soldiers, who hurled themselves like a wave at the defenders of the staircase.

All the pistols had long since been emptied, and they fought sword to sword.