Officer and man rushed to the wheel that controlled the opening and closing of the gate. Seizing this, and throwing into it all their combined muscular force, they succeeded in driving the double barrier close.
“Here are the double bars!” shouted one of the marines at the gate. “Some one took them down.”
Up went the bars, which were now made fast in place, and once more the gate was securely closed.
Placing a whistle to his lips, Dave ran along the wall. Even above the Babel of voices the shrill note of the whistle was heard.
“Aye, aye, sir!” bawled down a petty officer overhead.
“Turn your marksmen loose on that rabble before the gate. Use the machine gun, too. Make it as deadly for the scoundrels as you know how. Up to the ramparts you men at the gate, and fire on the mob!”
Chinese yells of battle changed to groans of pain as the American firing rattled out more heavily than at any other time that day.
From the river came the broad white beam of the “Castoga’s” search light.
Boom! A shell dropped in the rear of the multitude and more houses were in flames, lighting up the scene.
“Hammer them as they run!” breathed Ensign Darrin fervently. “Keep it up as long as you can see any one to shoot at.”