The assailants swarmed up the
sides of the canyon, and attempted to break in through the foundation
of the buildings. But the masonry was stronger than they had
anticipated, and the attack failed. Sharp-shooters then climbed the
neighboring heights, and kept up an incessant peppering of the walls
with conical bullets driven at four thousand feet per second.
No reply came from the gloomy structure. The huge column of black
smoke rose uninterruptedly into the sky, and the noise of the great
engine never ceased for an instant. The mob gathered closer on all
sides and redoubled the fire of the rifles, to which was now added the
belching of several machine-guns. Ragged holes began to appear in the
walls, and at the sight of these the assailants yelled with
delight. It was evident that, the mill could not long withstand so
destructive a bombardment. If the besiegers had possessed artillery
they would have knocked the buildings into splinters within twenty
minutes. As it was, they would need a whole day to win their victory.
Suddenly it became evident that the besieged were about to take a hand
in the fight.
Pages:
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71