rods deep, so that to climb down them was impossible and to jump hazardous, especially for the first row which would naturally expect that those following them would jump down on top of them.
Roused by the fear of imminent death which even to the most easily frightened brings courage, the Mongols stopped, turned and faced their adversaries. At that precise moment a ray of hope flashed through them for they perceived, following their assailants, the approaching company of friends. Their hands involuntarily seized upon their weapons. But this sudden spurt of courage was not sufficient to save them. Like the raging fury of a storm the Tukholian youths, with fierce cries, plied axe and javelin, pushing them back to the ledge of the abyss. With cries of horror those in back toppled over to the bottom of the pass, hitting it with a dreadful thud while those in front were hewed by the swords and battle-axes of the Tukholians. Now the youths themselves stood on the rim of the sheer wall of rock of the pass and trembled with terror. Tuhar Wolf with his Mongols approached them from the rear. In front of them was the gorge. What should they do? A moment of deliberation was enough for Maxim. The sight of the injured Mongols lying at the bottom of the ravine gave him an idea.
“Those in the last row, face the approaching Mongols and try to stop their onrush. Those in front, throw the corpses of the Mongols down before you and jump on top of them!”
“Hurray!” cheered the youths exultantly, accomplishing his command. The still-warm bodies of the Mongols thudded hollowly at the bottom of the gorge and a ray of hope for their safety lighted up the faces of the youths. At this juncture the pursuing Mongols caught up with them, Tuhar Wolf in the lead.
“Now!” he shouted. “This time you shan’t escape me!” and with his heavy battle-axe he knocked down the first of the
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