We knew, however, that we could not be severely beaten.

The doors were thrown open, and in they came.

Each of them, as he entered, brought some different report of their numbers.

It must have been impossible, as you may conceive, in the lobby, crowded as they were, to form any exact estimate.

First we heard that they were three hundred and three; then that number rose to three hundred and ten; then went down to three hundred and seven.