The others closed their ranks.

At last there were only some ten insurgents left.

Two more took to flight, and of the remaining eight three were killed at one discharge.
The two children had remained there mechanically without understanding anything.

As the battalion diminished in numbers, Miette raised the banner still higher in the air; she held it in front of her with clenched fists as if it were a huge taper.

It was completely riddled by bullets.