Walter had detached five of his little party to hold the top of the other staircase, should the assailants try to force a passage there; and he had but ten men now, and several of these severely wounded, to hold the staircase.
Great as the advantage that the position gave the defenders, they were forced up step by step, and Walter began to fear that he would be driven to the landing before succour came, when a crowd of figures suddenly burst in at the hall door, and above the cracking of pistols, which at once arose, he heard his father's voice: "Down with the murdering dogs! No quarter!" Taken wholly by surprise, ignorant of the force by which they were attacked, and taken between two bodies of enemies, the Hessians turned to fly.

Walter and his men at once pressed down upon them, while the newcomers fell upon them with fury.
There was but little resistance, for the Hessians thought only of flight.
Some burst through their assailants and gained the door; more fled down the passages, and escaped by the windows through which they had entered; but more than thirty of them fell in the hall.
The instant resistance was over, Captain Davenant ran out with his men to secure the horses.

A few of the Hessians, who had escaped from the front door, had jumped on the backs of the nearest animals and ridden off.

The rest had fled on foot, and the exulting troopers counted seventy-two horses remaining in their hands.

Captain Davenant at once returned to the house.
"Where are you, Walter ?" he shouted; but there was no answer.