But it was a signal, for as I turned I saw the native guard spring
like one man upon our sergeant and drive their bayonets into his
throat. He went down with a dozen of the dwarf-like negroes stabbing
and kicking at him, and the mob ran shrieking upon the door of the
palace.

On the instant I forgot everything except Laguerre. I had only one
thought, to get to him, to place myself at his side.

I pushed my horse among the people, beating at the little beasts with
my sword. But the voice I knew best of all called my name from just
above my head, and I looked up and saw Laguerre with Aiken and Webster
on the iron balcony of the palace.

Laguerre's face was white and set.

"Captain Macklin!" he cried. "What does this mean? Obey your orders.
You have my orders. Obey my orders."

"I can't," I cried. "This is an attack upon you! They will kill you!"

At the moment I spoke our men fired a scattering volley at the mob,
and swung to the great gates. The mob answered their volley with a
dozen pistol-shots, and threw itself forward. Still looking up, I saw
Laguerre clasp his hands to his throat, and fall back upon Webster's
shoulder, but he again instantly stood upright and motioned me
fiercely with his arm. "Go," he cried. "Bring the gatlings here, and
all the men. If you delay we lose the palace. Obey my orders," he
again commanded, with a second fierce gesture.