und
and diagonally across the way to the great chamber, and could see the
other rough stonework, above which appeared a little line of swords.

"Said we were to be careful not to hurt him and his friends if they were
beaten back."

"No fear," said Punch; "we can tell them by their red handkerchiefs
round their heads and their little footy guns. We've got nothing to do,
then, yet."

"For a while, Punch; but they are coming on fast. Hark at them!" For
the firing grew louder and louder, and was evidently coming nearer.

"And only two of us as a covering-party!" muttered Punch. "Oh, don't I
wish all our chaps were here!"

"Or half of them," said Pen.

"Yes, or half of them, comrade. Why, I'd say thank ye if it was only
old O'Grady, me boy. He can load and fire faster than any chap in our
company. Here, look at that!" For the sunlight shone plainly upon the
red silk handkerchief of a Spaniard who suddenly ran into sight, stopped
short, and turned to discharge his carbine as if at some invisible
pursuers, and then dropped his piece, threw up his hands, and fell
heavily across the way, which was now tenanted by a Spanish defender of
the King.

"Only wounded perhaps," panted Punch; and Pen watched the fallen man
hopefully in the expectation of seeing him make an effort to crawl out
of the line of fire; but the two lads now became fully conscious of the
fact that bullets were pattering faster and faster right into the
gully-like passage and striking the walls, some to bury themselves,
others to flatten and fall down, bringing with them fragments of stone
and dust.

The musketry of the attacking party and the replies of pistol and
carbine blended now in a regular roll, but it was evident that the
defenders were stubbornly holding their own; while the muskets that
rested on the stones in front of the two lads remained silent, and Punch
uttered an impatient ejaculation as he looked sharply round at Pen.

"Oh, do give us a chance," he cried. "Here, comrade, oughtn't we two to
run to cover a little way in advance?"

"No," said Pen excitedly. "Now then, look out! Here they come!"

As the words left his lips, first one and then another, and directly
after three more, of the _contrabandistas_ ran round the curve well into
sight and divided, some to one side, some to the other, seeking the
shelter of the rocky wall, and fired back apparently at their pursuing
enemy before beginning to reload.

They were nearly