With a cheer the men leapt over the embankment. There was room for
ten abreast, and in a treble line with levelled spears they bore
down upon the rebels. The charge was irresistible. A few of the
leaders of the peasants threw themselves on to the spears and
died there, the others strove, but in vain, to fly. Their comrades
behind, ignorant of what was going on, still pressed up, and it
was not until the screams and shouts of those in front, and the
pressure downwards, brought the column to a stand and then bore
it backward, that they learned that the defenders had taken the
offensive, and were sweeping all before them. Then a panic arose,
and the peasants rushed down the road, the tenants above saluting
them as they passed with another volley of rocks. Halfway down
the hill Hector halted his men, and led them up to the intrenchment
again over a road encumbered with dead bodies.

"I think that will do," he said. "After the tale those who have
got down safely will have to tell, we may be sure they will do
nothing until morning, and it may well be that they may think it
advisable to be off to attack some other place not so strongly
defended. However, we will presently beat them up, and if possible
capture their cannon, and without them they could not hope to take
any fortified house well defended."

For a time there was a prodigious din in the valley, sounds of men
shouting and quarrelling, of others trying in vain to make their
voices heard, and to address the excited peasants. In an hour it
quieted down, and by midnight all was still. Hector had been busy
with his preparations.

"How many horses have we?" he asked.