Part 34 (1/2)

At this moment Young Glory joined him.

”Confess,” said Manuel, in triumphant tones, ”that it was a great plan of mine!”

Young Glory was silent.

”What! Too jealous to speak! Be honest and admit that I'm a genius!”

”A scoundrel!” cried Young Glory, hotly. ”A villainous traitor!”

”Ah! What's this?”

”You're getting your deserts, you wretch!” shouted Young Glory, seizing him instantly, and grappling with him.

”Help! Help!” cried the Spaniard.

Lieutenant Tyler heard the noise, and he had a suspicion what it meant.

He rushed to the front through the men.

”Forward, lads,” he shouted, waving his sword in the air, ”or Young Glory will be killed, and the s.h.i.+p will be blown up!”

”Back! Back!” cried some of the Spanish officers, as the men were advancing. ”You are sealing your own doom!”

Bang! Bang!

Shots were interchanged now, and undeterred by what they had heard the sailors pressed forward.

Meanwhile, Young Glory and Manuel were engaged in a deadly struggle.

Each man had been trying, without success, to draw a pistol from his belt, and as they could not do so they reeled from one side to another, locked in each other's arms.

”You cannot avert your doom!” hissed Young Glory. ”Listen! the sailors are rus.h.i.+ng to the rescue.”

”I can take you with me.”

Quick as lightning Manuel thrust forth his hand towards the burning fuse which Young Glory had not previously noticed.

”Ha, ha!” laughed Manuel, fiendishly, as his fingers grasped it. ”We all go together.”

There was a great heap of powder lying in the far corner of the magazine, a striking testimony to the carelessness of the Spanish officers.

Without a moment's hesitation Manuel hurled the still lighted fuse towards this powder.

A cold chill ran through Young Glory at this murderous act.

By a supreme effort he tore himself loose, and with one blow of his fist he struck Manuel to the ground.

Then past him he sprang towards the fuse, and with a great leap he landed with both feet on the fuse.