At that moment the interior of the shelter resounded with the terrified shout of men; at the same instant the knights rushed with a shout to the other shelter. In the darkness were heard groans and clash of steel; here and there some dark figures rushed past, others fell on the ground, then came the report of a shot; but all did not last longer than a quarter of an hour. The Cossacks, surprised for the most part while in a deep sleep, did not even defend themselves, and were destroyed before they could seize their weapons.
“To the marching towers! to the marching towers!“ cried Sobieski.
They hurried to the towers.
“Fire them from within, for they are wet outside!“ shouted Skshetuski.
But the command was not easy of execution. In these towers built of pine planks there was neither door
