“No, sir. Both hands hold of the barrel.”
“Silence, sir! How dare you!” roared the officer—“how dare you! Any one hurt, sergeant?”
“No, sir; bullet went too high; but it’s gone through a window opposite.”
Proof came of the truth of the man’s word, for a window on the other side of the street was thrown open, and a voice shouted angrily:
“Hallo there! What are you doing? Want to shoot people?”
“Go in, and shut your window!” cried the officer, in an authoritative tone.
“Yes, that’s all very well,” cried the voice; “but you’ve no right to—”
“Silence, sir! in the King’s name!” roared the officer. “Here, four rear rank face about, make ready, present!”
There was a shuffling sound, and the ring of muskets being brought up to the shoulder; but before the command Fire! could be uttered, even if it had been intended, the window opposite was banged down, and a laugh arose.
“Now then there,” said the officer to the man who had thrust in his arm on the other side of the door, “can you reach?”