From every quarter they bore down on him, horse and foot, and even guns, seeming almost to spring, like the teeth of Cadmus, from the earth.
It was no time for hesitation or doubt.

Retreat was out of the question.

Equally hopeless was it to warn the troops who were coming up.

There was nothing for it but to stand at bay till the main body came up, and then, if they were left to do it, fight their way out and join forces.
The major therefore brought his men to a corner of the rocks, where on two sides, at any rate, attack would be difficult; and there, ordering them to dismount and form square, stood grimly.
A cruel half-hour followed.

Man after man of that little band went down before the dropping fire of the enemy.