The one in whose hands the crowbar remained dropped it behind him, as he darted away.
The man who had been previously wounded began to cry for assistance.
"Don't shout," exclaimed the fifth robber. "You'll alarm the others."
Then putting two fingers in his mouth he whistled shrilly twice.
Lorand saw that at this double whistle the two robbers running hastily came in his direction, while the din that arose on the farther side of the castle informed him of an attack from that side too. So he was between three fires.
He did not lose his presence of mind.
Before the new-comers arrived he had just time to load both barrels:—the bushes hid him from anyone who might even stand face to face, so that he could take no sure aim.
Haste, care and courage!
Lorand had often read stories of famous lion-hunters, but had been unable to believe them: unable to imagine how a lonely man in a wild waste, far from every human aid, defended only by a bush, could be courageous enough to cover the oldest male among a group of lions seeking their prey, and at a distance of ten paces fire into his heart. Not to hit his heart meant death to the hunter. But he is sure he will succeed, and sure, too, that the whole group will flee, once his victim has fallen.
What presence of mind was required for that daring deed! What a strong heart, what a cool hand!