ould only come in two at a time; but, as they darkened the doorway
and made their rush, they spread out as they entered like a fan right
and left, and once more the groans, yells, and blows rang out.

It was clearer now, for the smoke and dust had floated out, and I could
see something of the desperate fight that was going on, with men
falling, and others of the Frenchmen from behind filling their places,
for they kept on thronging in through the open doorway, till the
counting-house was densely packed, and those behind literally drove
their companions forward, till the rough breast-work was beaten and
trampled down, and our little party forced back towards the wall that
separated us from the inner room, in which there was a doorway leading
into a back place, opening on to the cliff slope.

I can't pretend to describe what took place accurately. All I know is,
that in the midst of a scene of shouting, yelling, and clashing
cutlasses, I found myself crushed against the back wall with my sword
above my head, and my ribs seeming to give way, as I was pinned there
helplessly, till all at once there was a tremendous crash, and we were
all driven backwards in a heap, friends and enemies together.

For the wood-work partition, already damaged by the force of the
explosion, had given way, and we were precipitated into the back room.

What followed I hardly know, for as the men struggled up from the ruin
the fight began again, and the result was that I found myself with my
father and five men in the little back place of all, where the door
opened out into the valley; but of course it was locked and barricaded
inside, and the door into the back room was held by my father, the
foreman, and two others, who were keeping about a dozen Frenchmen at
bay, yelling and cutting and thrusting at them.

"Sep! Here! Quick!" my father shouted, without turning his head, for
the enemy kept him occupied parrying their cuts and points.

"I am here, father," I said, getting close behind him.

"Right. Stand firm, my lads!" said my father. "We're beaten, but we
must retreat in order. Ah, would you?"

This last was to a Frenchman who dashed in at him, but only to have his
thrust parried, and to go down with an upward cut which disabled his
sword arm.

"Sep," he whispered then, "open the back door. Be ready. We must now
make a dash for the rocks. You lead; I'll keep the rear. Mind, my
lads," he said to the stanch group about him, "ke