Part 36 (2/2)

Round he glanced quickly, and as he did so, he saw not far away a number of great rocks, forming almost a semi-circle, with the sea in the rear.

”Forward, lads!” he shouted loudly.

The men dashed after him, Mr. Tyler in vain trying to check them.

It looked as if Young Glory was about to charge the great force that was rus.h.i.+ng down the hill, but such was not Young Glory's intention. The Spaniards speedily discovered what his plan was. Then a mad race took place to see which party should first arrive at the group of rocks.

”We are safe, sir!” cried Young Glory breathlessly, as he and his comrades reached the haven.

”Yes, it's a natural fortress. We can hold out against five hundred men.

Let them have it, lads!”

”It's hail Columbia we'll give them!”

Hurrah! Crack! Crack!

The sailors fired furiously now. The Spaniards fell at every shot. But they did not retreat. Instead of doing so the two forces joined, and together they came with a mad rush at the rocks, behind which stood the seamen, awaiting the enemy's attack.

”Don't waste a shot now!” cried Mr. Tyler, and his men waited till the enemy were quite near.

Then a terrific volley was poured forth. Not less than thirty men fell, but their comrades came on just the same. Crack! Crack!

Again the seamen fired, and then such of the Spaniards as survived bounded like deer at the rocks, trying to scale them.

It was a hand to hand fight now, in which the advantage lay almost entirely with the defenders.

The cutla.s.s and pistol did great work at close quarters.

Not more than ten Spaniards got inside the inclosure, and they never got out again.

Dan was fighting furiously by Young Glory's side, and the two men seemed to bear charmed lives.

”Kill that yellow-haired dog!” cried a voice in the Spanish ranks; ”it's Young Glory!”

Young Glory!

How savagely the Spaniards echoed the name.

”One thousand dollars to the man who kills him!” shouted the same voice.

And then a dozen men, burning to be able to claim the reward, sprang at the rock behind which Young Glory stood.

CHAPTER XVI.

CONCLUSION.

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