His eyes were fascinated, and nothing could have withdrawn them then.
He had proved again and again that he was no coward, but a great terror chained him now, and his voice trembled as he panted out: "Quick--quick; throw--throw!" "Nay, not yet.

I'm watching of it.

Father always waits till there's on'y about an inch, to make sure it'll go off." There was not much more as he spoke, and just then, in obedience to an order from their captain, the men drew back from the doorway, balancing the beam swung between them, as, four on each side now, it hung from their hands, and backing till they were past the spot where the pair were crouching.
"Now, all together, my brave boys," cried Purlrose; "a good run, and down goes the door.

Off!" The order answered for Dummy as well as the men, and feeling now that he had waited too long, the boy swung the bag over the battlement.

The passage through the air increased the sparkling of the fuse, and before it touched the pavement, a few feet in front of the men starting for their run, there was a wondrous flash of light, a fierce wind drove the two lads backward, and then came a deafening roar, mingled with the breaking of glass, a yell of horror, and as the roof still quivered beneath the lads' feet they heard the rush of men through the gateway, across the next court, and through the outer opening on to the bridge, and then down the first slope.
"Come on!" cried Dummy, running to the low doorway of the gate-tower, where he picked up the other powder-bag, and, hardly knowing what he did, Mark followed him down the winding stair into the gateway.
"Come on!" cried Dummy again, and Mark still followed, across the outer court and the first gateway, grasping the pick from his belt, feeling that they were about to charge the rear of the flying enemy.
"Come on," shouted Dummy, for the third time, and they crossed the narrow space, which brought them to the little tower and gateway by the natural bridge, where, as Mark closed up, he could hear the babble and growl of voices from the bottom of the first slope.
"Shied it too soon," growled the boy.