I encouraged them by precept and example.
It was really fine to see how they caught the spirit of the affair—they looked to me for orders as though I had been a god sent down from above to win their cause, which had seemed forlorn enough up to the time of my appearance.
I really enjoyed the experience—it does not come to every man to be suddenly elevated to the top of the heap.
A few more affectionate taps and that tenacious old door must let go; who would have thought it could have maintained such obstinacy after starting so easily?
And then—well, unless the brave garrison quickly ran up the white flag there was bound to be serious trouble in store for them—my hearties had reached that fever pitch where no mercy would be shown an unyielding foe.
The door gave way with a crash, just as the gun boomed for the last time.
I could hear Robbins shouting still, and this told me he was in the land of the living—I also had reason to believe he had succeeded almost as well in the rear as we had in front, which complication must convince the government forces their cause was in a bad way.
When the last push sent the battered door in, we gave a fierce shout of joy, and sprang forward to storm the citadel.
Having gone through such a whirl of excitement, I had no longer any thought concerning myself or my personal safety; men under these same conditions lead forlorn hopes into the jaws of death, either to lay down their lives or come out heroes for history’s pages.
I did neither, but, all the same, I had the experience, and would always cherish the memory of what was the most remarkable sensation of my life.