In a minute there was a tremendous explosion,
and the gate fell scattered in fragments. Then the Scottish pikemen
rushed forward. As they did so there was a roar of cannon, and
a storm of bullets ploughed lanes through the close ranks of the
pikemen, for the Imperialists, expecting the attack, had placed
cannon, loaded to the muzzle with bullets, behind the gates.
Munro's regiment now leapt into the moat, waded across, and planting
their ladders under a murderous fire, stormed the works flanking
the gate, and then joined their comrades, who were striving to
make an entrance. Hepburn, leading on the pikemen, was hit on the
knee, where he had in a former battle been badly wounded.
"Go on, bully Munro," he said jocularly to his old schoolfellow,
"for I am wounded."
A major who advanced to take his place at the head of the regiment
was shot dead, and so terrible was the fire that even the pikemen
of Hepburn's regiment wavered for a moment; but Munro and Lumsden,
with their vizors down and half pikes in their hands, cheered on
their men, and, side by side, led the way.
"My hearts!" shouted Lumsden, waving his pike -- "my brave hearts,
let's enter."
"Forward!" shouted Munro; "advance pikes!"
With a wild cheer the Scots burst forward; the gates were stormed,
and in a moment the cannon, being seized, were turned, and volleys
of bullets poured upon the dense masses of the Imperialists.
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