. A friend with the countersign . ready to assault the rear. It was now about twooclock. York was sent to hunt for an axe, and speedily cuta green log for a battering ram. The fire kept up in besieged did not reply. No doubt they were lying downbehind the barricaded windows seeking shelter from the bul-lets. Throop himself was to lead the assaulting party. Atlength, everything ready, the fire from the front ceased, andfour men began firing at the windows in the rear as rapidly asthey could. After three rounds the rear fire ceased, the menready to pick off any one who should show his
. A friend with the countersign . ready to assault the rear. It was now about twooclock. York was sent to hunt for an axe, and speedily cuta green log for a battering ram. The fire kept up in besieged did not reply. No doubt they were lying downbehind the barricaded windows seeking shelter from the bul-lets. Throop himself was to lead the assaulting party. Atlength, everything ready, the fire from the front ceased, andfour men began firing at the windows in the rear as rapidly asthey could. After three rounds the rear fire ceased, the menready to pick off any one who should show his face at a win-dow; the front fire broke out afresh, and Throop and threemen raised the log from the ground and rushed forwardthrough the back yard, and up the steps. Not a shot wasfired at them. One mighty blow and the door fell open. Thefire in front continued. In the hallway there was a great uproar. The log wasdropped on the floor with a crash that shook the house. Allwindows being closed, there was no light except that which. ■ OXE MIiaiTY AXIl THE HOOK FELL OlEX THE SIEGE OF SHOWALTEE 307 now streamed through the back doorway, — the door itselfshattered on the floor, — and the sudden transition from theglare without, made the men stop as if they had reached asolid obstacle. For a moment everything before us was asblack as a cavern. But York rushed forward, and I followed,and the men followed, climbing the stairs too hastily — crowd-ing one upon another. Two of you look into the lower rooms! I shouted —then, No, come back; they are up here, for I now sawthat the stairway was barricaded. Chairs, beds, bureaus, —everything, piled up in a heap at the top gave evidence ofthe presence of the renegades on the upper floor. Everythingbeyond the obstruction was hidden; it rested on the landingat the turn of the stairs and reached almost to the ceiling;beyond that barrier death awaited. And now heavy footstepswere heard above stairs, and the rattling of window-pane
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1901
