Part 50 (1/2)
”Pass the word along for all hands to keep their left shoulders against the cliff, and there is no fear,” he whispered to Small, who followed hiuard hiht attack him
This was, perhaps, the , for two or three resolute ht have kept the whole party at bay, or, indeed, have tu down the cliffs He well knew the cunning of the Greeks, and should they have discovered the shi+p by any chance, this was the point they would defend, in the hopes of destroying all those engaged in the expedition together
Darkness was around theed cliff on one side, a precipice on the other, and beneath their feet a steep path or rough steps, and yet no one hesitated to follohere he led The ned over the scene, except the sound of their tread, which could just be heard above the dash of the water on the rocks below, and the screaht at a distance through the calht-air On he went--a few more steps would place him on the summit of the cliff, in coe of the upper step--he sprang upwards and gained a footing on the top--he breathed more freely, and his followers, one by one, ascended and took their place by him He then advanced a little distance to defend the position and to allow the rest of the party space to assemble as they came up The five minutes passed away, and Raby led on, followed in a line by the other boats, for there was no room for two to pass abreast, and as they entered they all ran up side by side on the beach Raby led theh theup, and ran no little risk of falling over again; but no casualty occurred It was, however, a long business, thus getting up in a single file at so slow a pace, but at last the whole body were drawn up together Captain Fleetwood, for greater convenience, separated the the first, and Jack Raby, as delighted with his own iuide to the second It wanted just half an hour to reatest difficulty in passing over the rough ground, and keeping the direct path near the cliff, without the risk of so from the precipice to their left He had, it one over the saht of his atteet the rope, and the arms, and provisions, or it would have been almost impossible for him to find the way On the party went, silent as the dead, and though the sound of the ht have been heard at a distance, had any one been on the watch for the froht almost as those of Indian warriors on any similar exploit
The weather, which had hitherto been serene, with a gentle and bal about to undergo a change A lowthe pointed rocks, and it struck with the chilly feel of the north on the right cheeks of the adventurers It served, however, rather to raise their spirits and strengthen their muscles; they knew that their shi+ps were in safety, if the anchorage was tolerable on the lee side of the island, so they thought or cared little about the matter
Twodiscovery; for it was scarcely to be supposed that the pirates, after their late deeds, would not be on their guard against an attack Now Fleetwood halted and listened, now he had literally to feel his ith the point of his sword, lest he should have inadvertently gone too close to the edge of the cliff, and in this manner upwards of an hour had passed away, slowly, indeed, to those eager to know the result At length, with a beating heart, he stood on the causehile a tower, the one in which he believed Ada was to be found, was faintly perceptible, rising, like soht for an instant glih a casement of the story in which she resided-- it was to him the beacon of his hopes, and served to confirm him in the belief that he had reached the approach to the castle, of which, otherwise, he was somewhat uncertain
”Shall I let off the rocket, sir?” whispered Tommy Small, who had kept close to him all the time, ready to support him had he stumbled They were the first words which had been spoken since the heights had been gained
”Not till the enemy discovers us,” answered his captain--”then fire”
He had been careful not to halt his men; for he had often observed, that while the actual tread, froht not be noticed, the stop and the fresh start were nearly always heard On a sudden, however, he h embankment ran directly across the causeith a ditch before it To slip down the side of the ditch, and to climb the opposite bank, was, to sea discovered, the first few stood on the summit Some noise, however, scarcely to be heard, was made, and as Captain Fleetwood, with Sallant old colonel, was on the point of leaping down into the ramparts, they found themselves confronted by a nuuns, where they had been sleeping
To fire the pistols was the first impulse of the pirates, and the flash aroused their comrades, as well as showed the them before they had time to unsheath their swords, and cut them doithout mercy
”Now, Small, off with the rocket,” exclaimed Captain Fleetwood, as their first opponents were disposed of
At the word, the coxswain, who had been expecting the order, let the beautiful firework fly into the air Up it soared,a curve towards the sea, into which it sent down a shower of glittering sparks, which had scarcely been extinguished before the _Ypsilante_, in gallant style, opened her fire on the harbour,as much blaze and noise as she could The British sea that all necessity for further silence was at an end, gave three hearty, soul-stirring cheers, which rung a the rocks, even above the roar of the artillery, and they then rushed on into the fosse after their coh it struck a panic into the hearts of the more timid of the pirates, at the saer lay The chain was across the harbour, and they knew no vessel could enter, and that their guns on that side would sink her when she attempted it, so many of the bravest hurried to the causeway, to defend the approach to the fort, while others an to return with interest the fire of the Greek brig
All was now uproar, confusion, fire, suns, and the sharp reports of fire-arlish, who trusted more to their cutlasses and the points of their bayonets
The defenders of the causeway fought with the greatest bravery, the voice of their chief encouraging theave way till they were cut down or slain The British poured on in overwhelled obstinately, strengthened by the arrival of their comrades from other parts
Fleetwood and Colonel Gauntlett both knew the voice of Zappa
”On, on,” they exclai to cut their way up to the spot, where at intervals, as pistols were flashi+ng near hiing his men, ”Seize that man, their chief--take him alive!”
The seamen did their best to come at him, but his followers, with a devotion worthy of a better object, rallying round him, kept them at bay At last the voice which had been heard so loud was silent, and though fire-arure was not to be seen
Yet the pirates did not give way, they even seeht with more desperation than before, as if to , however, could withstand the deterh, had not the pirates incautiously lost the post which Zappa had so judiciously forht, and, at all events, must have suffered a severe loss
Fleetwood and the other officers encouraged their men to fresh exertions, and led the way The pirates could no longer withstand the onset, and, within five ained the open space under the fort, and the ene in all directions before the themselves over the cliffs, to avoid, as they supposed, another death; and the greater nu by the path down the ravine A small, but h to run, and too brave to yield, had entrenched the the ruins, on the point directly above the harbour; and while so away on the _Ypsilante_, and thus defending to the last the entrance to their port, the rest had slewed round souns towards the interior of the fort, prepared to fire the uish their enemies froer in pursuit of the great object which had at first brought him to the island, the rescue of Ada Garden, led on his ate was open--he rushed up the steps, followed by the colonel and several others--he reached the chaht burnt on the table--it showed the confusion around; a slight form was on one of the couches--Fleetwood flew to it Could it be his Ada?
There he beheld a sight to sicken his heart--it was the body of poor little Mila: a ball had entered her forehead, and, as in too ht be the fate of her he loved best? His eye fell on Marianna, as kneeling on the ground in an agony of terror She lifted her head with alar that soeance on her; but when she saho it was, she gave a shriek of delight, exclainor captain,--save my poor mistress They have carried her away--the traitor, the false nor Paolo--he and the chief You will never see her irl, speak?” cried Fleetwood, with feelings which no words can in any degree express
”Oh! I don't know, signor,” answered the Maltese girl, weeping with fright and agitation, increased by the tone of his voice ”Down through the door, signor, she and Signora Nina”
”But, ?”
asked Fleetwood