“So I think,” answered Ketling. “To last till to-morrow, or longer?”
“Perhaps longer. Victory is with us to-day.”
“And through us. We must think of that new mine.”
The Turkish fire was weakening still more.
“Keep up the cannonade!” cried Volodyovski. And he sprang among the gunners, “Fire, men!” cried he, “till the last Turkish gun is silent! To the glory of God and the Most Holy Lady! To the glory of the Commonwealth!”
The soldiers, seeing that the storm was nearing its end, gave forth a loud shout, and with the greater enthusiasm fired at the Turkish trenches.
“We’ll play an evening kindya for you, dog brothers,” cried many voices.
Suddenly something wonderful took place. All the Turkish guns ceased at once, as if some one had cut them off with a knife. At the same time, the musketry fire of the janissaries ceased in the new castle. The old castle thundered for a time yet; but at last the officers began to look at one another, and inquire,—
“What is this? What has happened?”
Ketling, alarmed somewhat, ceased firing also.