A bare half-score remained standing, and amongst these that gallant old Cadoux, who had by now accounted for a half-dozen sans-culottes, and was hence in high glee, a man rejuvenesced.

His sallies grew livelier and more barbed as the death-tide rose higher about him.

His one regret was that he had been so hasty in casting his snuff box from him, for he was missing its familiar stimulus.

At his side the Marquis was fighting desperately, fencing with his left arm, and in the hot excitement seeming oblivious of the pain his broken right must be occasioning.
"It is ended, old friend," he groaned at last, to Des Cadoux.

"I am losing strength, and I shall be done for in a moment.