Young Glory and the Spanish Cruiser Part 25

Captain Moret, entirely unmoved, saw his men falling like flies. What did he care? A Spanish officer places no value on the lives of those under him, and besides, he knew that his men must win.

Ha! what was that?

A terrific shout was heard now, above the clas.h.i.+ng of steel.

"Young Glory to the rescue!"

That was the cry that came from fifty lips.

Then in a moment all saw what had happened.

Captain Moret had stripped the fore part of the s.h.i.+p bare of men in order to concentrate them with the rest of his forces in making one final attack on the enemy.

The quick eye of Young Glory had detected the weak spot instantly.

"Young Glory to the rescue!" shouted the blue jackets, and on they came, taking the Spaniards in the rear.

Even now the men of the Cristobal Colon had nothing to fear, for they still vastly outnumbered the Americans, but this sudden and unexpected attack in the rear caused a panic.

Young Glory's terrible sword aided to the fear that filled the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of the Spaniards. All within reach of him dropped to the deck.

"Forward, men!" cried Lieutenant Tyler, "the enemy weakens. Now is our chance!"

The Spaniards were a huddled and confused ma.s.s of human beings now. The last vestige of discipline had gone, and the officers who yet remained, struggled in vain with their men to inspire them with courage.

"Dogs!" they cried, "the day is ours yet!"

"Faith, it's sorry to contradict ye, I am!" shouted Dan Daly, still in the front of the battle.

"Halloa, Dan!" cried Young Glory, looking across the intervening foe.

"This is a great day!"

"Great!"

Dan could say no more. He could not find any expression that exactly fitted the case.

The Spaniards now were throwing down their arms.

Captain Moret, in despair, rushed into the thick of the fight, endeavoring to rally his men.

"Cowards!" he cried, furiously. "This is a black day for Spain!"

"Faith, old gentleman," said Dan, "she's had so many black days it won't be noticed, an' it's black herself she is wid crime."

Captain Moret made a furious rush at the author of this insulting speech. The blades of the Irishman and the Spaniard crossed in fierce fight.

"Caramba! but you die!"

"Some day!" answered Dan, coolly, as he parried a furious blow. "Ah! my gold-laced don, you're beginnin' to see that Dan Daly's handled a sword before."

The two men were practically alone. Captain Moret had his back to the mast, and Dan, agile as a cat, despite his age, was hopping merrily round and round him.

The tide of battle had pa.s.sed them by.

Such of the Spaniards as had not thrown down their arms had retreated in a body towards Lieutenant Tyler's force, with Young Glory and his band of fifty blue jackets in hot pursuit.

"It's your beautiful uniform I'm afther spoilin'," said Dan, as he gave a thrust. "Arrah! but that was a great stroke, though it's meself as says it."

The stroke in question was a severe cut on Captain Moret's sword arm, which caused him instantly to pa.s.s his weapon into his left hand.

"Ould gentleman," said Dan, "it's a poor chance ye have. Surrender!"

"Never! While my men fight I will!"

"Begorra, but it's a nuisance ye are. I'm bound to kape ye alive, an'

while I'm here I'm afther losin' all the great fight that's goin' on.

Ah! it's Dan Daly's the man was born under an unlucky star."

It was perfectly clear that the Spanish captain was in Dan's power.

Every moment he weakened, though he continued from time to time to make frantic thrusts at the Irishman. Faintness from loss of blood was coming over him, and it was with difficulty that he kept on his feet.

"Betther give up, captain dear," said Dan in a most insinuating voice.

"What! I hand my sword over to a common sailor!"

"To the last of the Dalys!" replied Dan, drawing himself up proudly as the Spaniard had done. "It's a king I'd be if I had my rights."

"Three cheers for King Dan!" shouted a voice.

"Young Glory!"

But Dan never turned his head. He was making pa.s.ses at the Spanish captain as if he meant to pin him to the mast.

"Surrender!" cried Dan once more.

"To you, never!"

"But to me, captain," said a voice that caused Dan to start. "I am the commander of the Nashville."

Dan was completely astounded to find Captain Long beside him.

The Spanish captain bowed, and without a word he handed his sword to Captain Long.

"Faith!" exclaimed Dan, "I'm not understandin' it at all. Young Glory, why are you here when there's fightin' to be done?"

"You don't understand, Dan. I do. Look!"

Young Glory pointed to the masthead of the s.h.i.+p. There, Dan Daly, to his astonishment saw the Stars and Stripes flying.