“A couple of rounds from each gun, Darrell, lad,” said Wyatt. “We shall just have time, and then off and away for home. It will sicken some of them.”
The guns were loaded, and, linstock in hand, the men waited till the order was given, Wyatt pausing too long to give them time to get a second round from each gun, as Dick thought, knowing well what the consequences would be if the fierce horsemen could get among them with their keen tulwars before the troop could limber up.
But Wyatt knew exactly from long experience what his men could do, and had calculated correctly.
Number one belched forth its little storm of grape; number two followed; and before number six had been fired, number one was ready again.
As the first charge of grape made a gap in the advancing body of horse, there was a yell of rage, and they tore on faster. The second had a similar effect, the men rushing on heedless of the killed and wounded they left behind, strewing the field; but, as the other guns spoke out, confusion began to set in, and by the time number one discharged its second cartridge, men were opening out, others were drawing rein. But still a brave half of them came thundering on, and they were within a couple of hundred yards as the rest of the second round was poured into them, with such dire effect that the scared horses stopped, kicking and plunging, and the gallant charge came to an end, the leaders of the crowd hesitating, and then wheeling to right and left, and tearing off in full retreat, till the great plain was dotted with fallen and galloping horsemen, all cohesion gone, and every man fleeing for his life.
There was a yell of rage, and they tore on faster.
The next minute the order was given to limber up: but Wyatt made no effort to leave the ground for a time, waiting to rest the horses and scan the field, ready to send a round-shot bowling at the first knot of gathering horsemen that collected as a nucleus for another charge.
But not one centre appeared—it was a case of every man for himself—and, closing his glass with a snap, Wyatt rode close to Dick’s side and reached over to shake hands as he said: