Nevertheless Fabri bore back the first line, pressed on them stoutly, and amid a wild _melee_ of struggling men and waving weapons, began to drive the troop, in spite of a fierce resistance, into the gate.

If he could do this and enter with them, even though he lost half his men, he might save the city.
But the Savoyards, though they gave back, gave back slowly.

Within twenty paces of the gate the advance wavered, stopped, hung an instant.
Of that instant Basterga took advantage.

He had moved on undetected, with the rearmost burghers: now he saw his opportunity and seized it.

He flung to either side the man to right and left of him.