Another moment, and we were hustling across the wide square, heading for the barracks.
It was not in the nature of things that we could thus dash across the open, with plenty of light to disclose our movements, and expect to escape without a baptism of fire.
The soldiers who held the citadel were armed with good guns, and could send volleys of lead into the plaza; but I had a contempt for their marksmanship, and believed that if my force suffered it would be through accident.
Of course, we took precautions; every man as he ran leaped from side to side, or sprang into the air like a deer.
Altogether, I imagine we must have presented a most astonishing spectacle as we thus moved across the open square, where, on most nights, the military band was wont to discourse sweet music to the keen enjoyment of a different kind to-night—the boom of cannon, the crackling of rifles, the fierce shouts of excited rivals and perchance the wailing of unfortunates in whom flying missiles had found a lodgment.
This sight, which I would have given something to have seen, I missed, for my attention was wholly taken up with what lay in front.
Our sudden and surprising appearance had, I imagine, somewhat disconcerted and demoralized the defenders of the barracks, for we were allowed to cover at least one-third of the distance before a single shot was fired.
After that they came hot and fast enough, but sent at random, after the manner of men who had become so rattled that they no longer thought it incumbent to take aim, but simply discharged their pieces.
Two-thirds over, and now we opened on the home stretch.
I kept my eyes on the buildings, determined to know what was transpiring, so that I might take advantage of any opening that appeared.