His legs being freed, he slipped the cords from his hands like a pair of gloves.

He was no little elated over his achievements.

"And now we will sell our lives dear!" he cried, with a glad leap into the air.
The rattle of small arms in the distance began to be heard, and through the little opening over the iron door a ruddy light as from a fire became visible.

At first Manasseh thought some one was coming again with a torch; but as the iron door did not open, and the red light grew constantly brighter, he finally guessed the cause of the illumination.
Those who were now assaulting Toroczko must have set fire to St.George first, to furnish the people of the former place an example of what they were themselves to expect, and perhaps also to supply a light for the attacking party.

The whole village was in flames.