Indeed, it seemed to me, a single child in the place might have defied an army, so unassailable did it appear.

Our men had carried easily the outer courtyard across the moat, driving the slender garrison back, with only time to lower the gate and shut themselves within before the assault began.

But, though they thundered with shot and rock, all was of no avail.

The guns of the besieged swept the narrow bridge on either side, and scarce a man who ventured across it returned alive.
Now, all was suddenly changed.

Ludar, with a wild shout, fell on the keepers of the gate within and drove them from their post.