So don't you try
to enter till you are quite sure they are engaged with us, otherwise
you will be only throwing away your life."
"I understand, sir," Ralph said as he turned to go off. "If you get in
you can reckon on our assistance immediately; if not, we shall make no
move."
Ralph now took up his station at the mouth of the cavern with his six
men, and lay down just in front of the opening listening attentively.
He could hear a continued murmur as of many voices.
"Get ready, lads, to follow me the instant you see me dive in," he
said. "I am sure by the sound there are more than four men in there,
and Captain O'Connor may want help badly."
Grasping a pistol in his left hand, and his sword in his right, Ralph
listened attentively. Suddenly he heard a shout, followed by a volley
of imprecations, and then the discharge of a gun or a pistol.
In an instant he threw himself forward along the low narrow passage.
He had not gone more than three or four yards when he found that it
heightened, and he was able to stand upright. He rushed on, keeping
his bead low in case the roof should lower again, and after a few
paces entered a large cabin. It was dimly illuminated by two torches
stuck against the wall. In a moment a number of figures rushed toward
him with loud shouts; but before they reached him two of the soldiers
stood by his side.
Pages:
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298