Strona 505 z 896

Cannon, muskets, fire and smoke; but, still the deep ditch, the

single drawbridge, the massive stone walls, and the eight great

towers. Slight displacements of the raging sea, made by the

falling wounded. Flashing weapons, blazing torches, smoking

waggonloads of wet straw, hard work at neighbouring barricades in

all directions, shrieks, volleys, execrations, bravery without

stint, boom smash and rattle, and the furious sounding of the

living sea; but, still the deep ditch, and the single drawbridge,

and the massive stone walls, and the eight great towers, and

still Defarge of the wine-shop at his gun, grown doubly hot by

the service of Four fierce hours.

A white flag from within the fortress, and a parley--this dimly

perceptible through the raging storm, nothing audible in

it--suddenly the sea rose immeasurably wider and higher, and

swept Defarge of the wine-shop over the lowered drawbridge, past

the massive stone outer walls, in among the eight great towers

surrendered!