and the spackle 's head jerks back , dropping both torches and falling backwards over the horned creacher , slipping outta the boots and onto the ground , and the horned creacher turns from the sudden shift in weight , stumbling back into the line of advancing spackle , knocking 'em this way and that- and i hear a cheer behind me- i turn to see a line of soldiers , recovering , surging forward , past me , all round me- and the mayor 's suddenly there , too , riding beside me , and he 's saying , `` excellent work , todd .