The man was in a white flame, roaring for battle.
"Yes."
Time had stopped: Eternity was there.
"Then God help us all to die!"
He flung back the door and plunged.
It was a venture of despair; but there was no despair in that heart of oak.
Swift as a flood, and as silent, he made for the wall, the despatch- bag flopping in the small of his back. And his silence added to the terror of his coming.
The white-hearted crew huddling behind the wall felt it. Here and there a scared head dodged up only to duck again.
One man alone left cover and went out to meet the solitary swordsman.
The Gentleman vaulted the wall, and came across the sward with steady eyes, twisting his sword-knot about his wrist.