As he turned away from the table he stood between Hector and the
other men, and the former seized the opportunity of pouring the
contents of his mug against the wall by his knee, knowing that as
the floor was of earth it would soak it up at once. From time to
time he lifted the mug to his lips, until he apparently drained
it. Then half closing his eyes he leant up against the corner.
Paolo had already laid his head down on the table, and after a
time both breathed heavily and regularly. Half an hour later one of
the men rose noiselessly and left the room. Two or three minutes
afterwards he returned with the host, the man who had gone out
before, and two others.

"Seven against two," Hector thought to himself. "However, we shall
have the advantage of a surprise." He touched Paolo with his foot
to assure himself that he had not really gone off to sleep, but
the responsive movement showed that he also was on his guard. The
man who had first left the room and one of the others drew their
long knives and stepped quietly forward, while the others, also
with bared weapons, prepared to support them if necessary. Hector
waited until the two leaders were close, then he exclaimed sharply,
"Now!" at the same moment throwing forward his hand with the pistol.
Two reports rang out at the same moment, and the men pitched
heavily forward. A yell of surprise and fury broke from the others,
but ere they could step over their fallen comrades, Hector and
his companion stood erect with their second pistols in their right
hands and their axes ready for action in their left.

Hector's second shot took effect on the landlord, Paolo's apparently
missed, for the other four rushed forward. Hector dashed the table
aside, and he and Paolo, poising their heavy axes, rushed forward