The heavy chains rattled sullenly through
the rusty pulleys, and to each the bridge seemed an hour
descending. Before it had reached its level, it was
covered with the weight of many armed men rushing confusedly
to the front; and the foremost of these leaped to the
earth before it had sunk into its customary bed. Sir
Everard Valletort and Lieutenant Johnstone were in the
front, both armed with their rifles, which had been
brought them before Wacousta commenced his descent.
Without order or combination, Erskine, Blessington, and
nearly half of their respective companies, followed as
they could; and dispersing as they advanced, sought only
which could outstep his fellows in the pursuit.
Meanwhile the fugitive, assisted in his fall by the
gradual rending asunder of the staff, had obeyed the
impulsion first given to his active form, until, suddenly
checking himself by the rope, he dropped with his feet
downward into the centre of the ditch. For a moment he
disappeared, then came again uninjured to the surface;
and in the face of more than fifty men, who, lining the
rampart with their muskets levelled to take him at
advantage the instant he should reappear, seemed to laugh
their efforts to scorn.
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