Frank now saw that the poor fellow's cheek was torn with a shot, and that his left hand was also shattered. “The fire is too heavy, Herr Lieutenant; the men cannot open a way for the cattle,” whispered the old Corporal. “What's to be done then?” asked Frank; but the poor Corporal fell dead at his side as he spoke. The brunt of the conflict was, however, at the barricades; for, despairing of any prospect of removing the obstacles, many of the hussars had ridden recklessly at them, and there, entangled or falling, were shot down remorselessly by the enemy. One alone forced his way, and with his uniform bloody and in rags dashed up to Frank. [Illustration: 190] “Get the cadet up in front of you,” whispered Frank; and Ravitzky, who was now unconscious, was lifted into the saddle; while the hussar, grasping him with his strong arms, held him against his chest. “Forward, now,” said Frank; on, to the first village, “and see him cared for.” “But you, Herr Lieutenant,--what's to become of you?” “I 'll not leave my poor wounded comrades.” “There 's not a living man amongst them,” cried the hussar. “Come along with us, Herr Lieutenant; we may want your help too.” The firing ceased at this moment; and to the wild shouts and din of conflict there succeeded a dead silence. “Keep quiet--keep quiet--stand close beneath the rock,” whispered Frank; “here comes the boat.” And, with slow and measured stroke, the skiff neared the shore, about twenty paces from where they stood. “Pull in boldly,” cried a gruff voice, in Italian; “there's nothing to fear now: neither man nor horse could survive that fire.” “Would that the great struggle could be accomplished so easily!” said a softer tone, which Frank almost fancied he had heard before. Lanterns were now seen moving in the space between the barricades; and crowds pressed down to examine and pillage the dead. “Have you found the officer's body?” asked he of the soft voice. “I suspect the party was under a sergeant's command,” said another. “No, no,” rejoined the other; “Giuseppe was positive that he saw an officer.” “See that he has not escaped, then,” said the other, eagerly. “The tale of this night's adventure might be told in two ways at Milan.” “The cadet is dying, sir; his head has fallen back,” whispered the hussar to Frank. “The lake, Dalton, the lake!” muttered the dying man, as he threw his arms around Frank's neck. Frank caught him while he was falling, but, overborne by the weight, reeled back against the rock. “How many are in the boat?” whispered Frank. “I see but one man, sir,” said the hussar. “Now for it, then,” said Frank; “place him between us on a carbine, and make for the boat.” With the energy of a newly inspired hope, the men obeyed in an instant; and, carrying their wounded comrade, moved stealthily along beneath the shadow of the rock. It was only as they emerged from this, and gained the little gravelly beach, that their figures could be seen.