“Nearly finished, sir,” reported Dick, who was overseer. “They won’t get over that wall in a hurry, I’ll bet.”
“Transfer your command to one of your men and come here; I wish to hold a council of war.”
Dick saluted, and having instructed one of his messmates to attend to the final details of the parapet, came forward as Justinian desired. Helena, in company with some of the women, had gone up the gorge, in order to attend to the wounded, so the five men, for Gurt was also included in the council, sat down on the grass some little distance away from the workers, and began to discuss the situation in low tones. Sentries had been posted at the barrier, and the electric light was full on the camp of the enemy, so in the event of any movement being made for an assault, which was not likely, Justinian knew he would be informed at once. After all, with the barrier, the heavy guns, and their muskets, they could hope to hold the pass for some time, but in the end it was doubtful if they would not have to give in, which catastrophe would mean death to every soul on the island.
“You can see for yourselves, gentlemen, that the danger is very grave,” said the Demarch anxiously; “we are only forty in number, and with these re-enforcements the enemy must be at least one hundred and fifty. It took us all our time to beat them off to-day when we were stronger and not fatigued, but to-morrow, with such a small force, all worn out with fighting and want of sleep, I dread the worst.”
“There is one thing in our favor,” observed Maurice in a satisfied tone; “bad leader as Alcibiades was, he had more pluck than Caliphronas; and, as he is the general now, he will not inspire his men with confidence. However brave the followers are, unless the leader is equally so, their valor is not of much use, as it lacks discipline and trust in the general.”
“There’s one thing, sir,” remarked Dick, addressing Justinian,—“there is one thing I’d like to say. All these Greeks have bare feet, so I think it ’ud be a good plan to strew the front of the palisade with broken glass, which would cut them up a bit.”
“That’s a good idea, Dick; and then, when they are in confusion, we can do some damage with our cannon. By the way, what about that gun? we should have brought that in.”
“It’s a pity we didn’t, sir; but it ain’t much good to them, for I’ve spiked it proper.”
“You’ve got dynamite, Justinian, have you not?” said Crispin, who had been thinking.
“Yes; plenty.”