“Forward on the double-quick!” was the order issued; and, as tired as they were, the troops started to obey. In the command was a young bugler named Calvin Titus, an enthusiastic fellow who had served in the Vermont volunteers during the war with Spain. Regardless of all danger, he went on ahead, and, reaching the wall of the city, was the first to gain the top and lower a rope for the assistance of his comrades.
“The British are just ahead of us!” was the cry which presently reached Gilbert’s ears; and then came an order to Major Morris, directing that the battalion be taken to the left, where a company of Chinese sharpshooters, located in a watch tower on the wall, were trying to pick off the troops’ officers.
“Forward, boys!” shouted the major, waving his sword. “Do your best for the honor of Old Glory!”
“Forward!” repeated Gilbert, leading his company in the rush. “Give it to ’em, and make every bullet tell! We can’t afford to lose our ammunition.”
His last words were drowned out by the cracking of rifles, followed by the roar of some artillery placed not far distant. Soon the air was filled with smoke and dust. As the command got closer to the wall, they heard plainly the yelling of the Chinese. Within the city the din was terrific.
“Here is a way up,” came from Major Morris, who was close to Gilbert. He had espied a breach in the wall, made by some artillery hours before. The breach formed something of a series of steps; and up these went the men of Company A, with Gilbert still leading them. The sharpshooters in the tower saw them approaching, and turned a galling fire in the direction, laying several low.
“The watch tower!” yelled Gilbert, in order to make himself heard above the noise and confusion. “The watch tower, boys! We must root ’em out.”
“We will!” came in a wild cry. “Down with the Chinks! Come on! All together!”
And away went what was left of the company, up to the very top of the wall, and then around to the entrance of the watch tower. The sharpshooters saw them come, and felt that they must soon be surrounded and cut off from support. Down they dropped from floor to floor of the tower with the agility of acrobats, and started to run down the slope leading into the Chinese City.
“Company halt!” commanded Gilbert. “Take aim! Fire!” And a solid volley was poured into the fleeing Celestials, bringing fully one-half of them to earth. The others were speedily swallowed up in the street below.