two deep."

As soon as this disposition was made he called down the six men, as they
were no longer required to defend the staircase.

"Now, men," he said when all were formed up, "I need not admonish
soldiers who were so firm under the attack of the whole of the Bavarian
army of the necessity for steadiness. I have no doubt that if we are
attacked it will be in considerable force; but it will be by half armed
peasants, and there probably will not be a gun among them. But even
peasants, when worked up into a state of excitement are not to be
despised. My orders are: The front rank shall continue firing until they
are close at hand, and shall then fix bayonets. Until this is done the
second line are not to fire a shot; but as soon as the front rank are
ready to repel the enemy with fixed bayonets, you will begin. Don't
throw a shot away, but continue loading and firing, as quickly as you
can; and unless very closely pressed, let no man empty his musket until
his comrade on the right has reloaded, so that there will always be some
shots in reserve. Should they rush on in spite of the fire, I shall
give the order, 'Empty your muskets and fix bayonets,' and we will then
charge them. Hunter, you and your three comrades and Paolo will keep
close to me, and if we find the men wavering at any point we will go to
their assistance. If, however, we charge, remember that you six men I
told off to guard the turret are at once to pass through the gates and
take up your post on the steps, for some of them may slip in behind us
and endeavour to rush up."

The horses, that had been turned loose when Hector and the troopers
mounted the steps, had been seized by the peasants, and tied up to some
trees close by when the latter began to feast. They had been recovered
when the insurgents were scattered by Mieville's company and had then
been placed in the courtyard of the castle. As soon as the alarm was
given, Hector, the four troopers, and Paolo had mounted. The three
officers were also on horseback.

"In case the company charges, Mieville," he said, "we nine mounted men
can cover the rear and charge any of the insurgents who try to rush in
and take them in the rear. I hope that we shall keep them off with our
musketry fire; but I don't disguise from myself that if they fall upon
us at close quarters we shall have to fight hard. Ah, here they come!"

Suddenly in the darkness from the other side of the chateau a great
crowd of men pou