So great was the effect that the enemy were driven back, and the column retired, the breach in the abattis being hastily filled up, before the cavalry, who were waiting the opportunity, could charge down upon it.
In the meantime, however, the enemy were forcing their way in at other points, and Harry gave word for the outside line of houses to be fired.
The thatched roofs speedily were in flames, and as the wind was blowing from the river dense clouds of smoke rolled down upon the assailants.

It was now only the intervals between the houses which had to be defended, and for an hour the stubborn resistance continued, the Royalist troops defending each house with its inclosure to the last, and firing them as they retreated, their own loss being trifling in comparison with that which they inflicted upon their assailants.
At last the whole of the defenders were gathered in and round the mill.
This was defended from attack by the mill stream, which separated it from the village, and which was crossed only by the road leading down to the ford.

The bridge was a wooden one, and this had been already partly sawn away.

As soon as the last of the defenders crossed the remainder of the bridge was chopped down.

Along the line of the stream Harry had erected a defense, breast high, of sacks of wheat from the mill.