ran to their appointed stations. The
buccaneers came pouring from the houses, most of them arms in hand. It
could not be denied that they were ready men. But the three attacks
simultaneously delivered bewildered them. The streets in all directions
seemed full of foes. The advantage of the surprise was with the Spanish.
The pirates were without leadership for the moment and ran aimlessly to
and fro, not knowing where to rally; yet little bands did gather
together instinctively, and these began to make some headway against the
Spanish soldiery. Even the cowards fought desperately, for around every
neck was already the feel of a halter.

Alvarado and de Tobar soon found themselves detached from their company.
Indeed, as the time progressed and the buccaneers began to perceive the
situation they put up a more and more stubborn and successful
opposition. They rallied in larger parties and offered a stout
resistance to the Spanish charges. Disregarding their isolation, the two
young officers ran to the fort. Fortunately the way in that direction
was not barred. The solitary sentry at the gateway attempted to check
them, but they cut him down in an instant. As they mounted the stair
they heard, above the shrieks and cries and shots of the tumult that
came blowing in the casement with the night wind, the sound of a woman's
screams.

"Mercedes!" cried de Tobar. "It is she!"

They bounded up the stairs, overthrowing one or two startled men who
would have intercepted them, and darted to the guardroom. They tore the
heavy hangings aside and found themselves in a blaze of light in the
long apartment. Two men confronted them. Back of the two, against the
wall, in a piteous state of disorder and terror, stood the woman they
both loved. In front of her, knife in hand, towered the half-breed.

"Treason, treason!" shouted Morgan furiously. "We are betrayed! At them,
de Lussan!"

As he spoke the four men crossed swords. De Tobar was not the master of
the weapon that the others were. After a few rapid parries and lunges
the Frenchman had the measure of his brave young opponent. Then, with a
laugh of evil intent, by a clever play he beat down the Spaniard's
guard, shattering his weapon, and with a thrust as powerful as it was
skilful, he drove the blade up to the hilt in poor de Tobar's bosom. The
gallant but unfortunate gentleman dropped his own sword as he fell, and
clasped his hands by a convulsive effort around the blade of de Lus