Part 12 (2/2)

Three men came towards him. They were bent on carrying out the spy's orders, and were about to seize him.

”Stand back!” he cried, defiantly.

”Yield!”

”Never!”

”We are fifty to one. To fight is useless,” said the Spanish soldier.

”You will be killed.”

”Then I will die fighting. Back! I say,” he added, as the men pressed forward. ”I will never be taken alive!”

”We shall see!”

The three men rushed at Young Glory.

Instantly he drew his sword. Around his head it flashed.

Then down it came on the nearest man's head. He dropped. A moment later one of his companions was lying in his blood. The third man hesitated.

”This shall cost you dearly,” said Young Glory, defiantly, as he faced the crowd.

”Shoot him!”

”No, no! There must be no firing,” said one of the sergeants. ”A noise will bring the guns of the American cruiser on us. Once more, will you surrender?”

”No!”

”Rush at him, men. Cut him to pieces if he resists.”

Such an order is easier given than obeyed. Men cannot move about a boat with perfect freedom, and Young Glory standing in the stern was a desperate foe.

The fight was renewed.

It was a repet.i.tion of what had previously taken place.

Two men fell before Young Glory's terrible sword, and the boy himself was not hurt.

But now a diversion took place.

Young Glory heard the sound of oars behind him, and he saw on turning his head, that one of the Spanish boats was hastily coming up. Attacked on both sides the end was certain.

It was necessary to do something at once. To jump into the water was no good. The boats would row after him and capture him in a few minutes. In the sea he would be quite powerless to defend himself.

”Now will you surrender?” cried the sergeant.

<script>