I made the object-glass end describe a circle in the air as we slowly backed, and the swordsmen darted away to the shelters they had quitted to follow us as they saw us in retreat.  But as there was no report, and they saw us escaping, they began to shout one to the other, and ran to and fro, zig-zagging down the street after us, each man darting across to a fresh place of shelter.  And as the retreat went on, and no report with a rush of bullets tore up the street, the men gained courage; the mob high up began to gather again.  Then there was distant yelling and shouting, and the danger seemed to thicken.