All awaited the signal with impatience. Soon the firing was heard, and instantaneously, as though expecting it, the Illyas were seen rushing through the village to the western line.
John gave the word. To approach close to the breastworks without firing a gun, and not to discharge a single piece until they were well within the fortified line.
The entire force moved forward at the shots. The line of entrenchments was reached, and John, with Uraso by his side, was the first to leap over. They halted fifty feet beyond the ridge, to allow the warriors to come in and form the line, those having the guns in front.
With a shout, the allies bounded forward, withholding their fire until the command should be given. The Illyas up to this time were principally arranged along the western wall, discharging their arrows at the force under Muro.
The appearance of the allies within the walls was such a terrible surprise that all semblance of[p. 181] order was lost in their ranks. They began to scatter. Uraso shouted out in stentorian tones:
"Throw down your arms, or we will fire. Surrender and you will not be killed."
John and the front line were now alongside of the second building, the one described by him as having the columns of the Ionic order, which had interested the boys so much.
Notwithstanding the excitement of the moment, Harry could not help looking at the building with its tawdry and crumbling columns, and in doing so espied a half dozen peculiarly garbed Illyas rushing out and attempting to escape to the north along the narrow street.
Calling a dozen warriors, he, with George, made a rush after the escaping fugitives, and before the limit of the village was reached they were surrounded and carried back.
The Illyas warriors were now in a panic. There seemed to be no one to order a surrender or a retreat. John ordered Uraso to have his men spread out to prevent escape in either direction, and as he turned to execute the order, Harry and George returned with the prisoners.