Several caught hold of the beam, and swung
it as though they meant to use it as a battering ram.
Two more puffs of smoke spurted out from the loopholes, and again two
of the men fell. The others, however, swung it forward with a crash
against the door. The end of the beam went right through the rotten
woodwork. Dick and Surajah fired their last musket shots with as
deadly effect as before. The next blow dashed the door from its
hinges, and, split and shattered by the former shocks, it fell forward
into the road, while a yell of triumph broke from the Mysoreans.
This died away, however, when they saw the three crossbars blocking
their entrance. Again two pistol shots carried death among them.
"Load your guns, Surajah."
But before Surajah had time to do so, the Mysoreans made a rush at the
door. The defenders stepped forward and fired between the crossbars,
and then, drawing their tulwars, ran the two men in front through the
body. As they dropped, those behind them drew back.
"The last pistols!" Dick shouted, and they fired two shots into the
crowd.
This completed the consternation of the enemy. It seemed to them that
the defenders possessed an unlimited supply of firearms.
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