Every house was shut; its windows closed and barred; its inmates gathered in some rear room.

Escape and hope appeared alike impossible; but Surrey, flinging his charge behind him, with drawn sword, face to the on-sweeping hordes, backed down the street.

The combination--a negro woman, a soldier's uniform--intensified the mad fury of the mob, which was nevertheless held at bay by the heroic front and gleaming steel of their single adversary.

Only for a moment! Then, not venturing near him, a shower of bricks and stones hurtled through the air, falling about and upon him.
At this instant a voice called, "This way! this way! For God's sake! quick! quick!" and he saw a friendly black face and hand thrust from an area window.

Still covering with his body his defenceless charge, he moved rapidly towards this refuge.