And now the bullets from the matchlocks began to patter upon the bales; for the banks were growing lower and lower, and the trees more open, but not a man was hit; and after another quarter of an hour's sharp replying we heard fresh cheering, the overshadowing trees on the banks suddenly began to grow distant.  Then it became lighter still, with the stars twinkling over head and the lights of the _Teaser_ apparently close at hand.