nce, he grasped the negro girl by the arm, and was about to drag
her off by the wrist, when her sister, not yet sold, threw her arms
about her neck, both uttering a wail of despair which might have gone to
the hearts of the most obdurate. It had an electrical effect on the
sensitive seamen. "Well, that's more than I can stand," cried Jerry.
"Down with the brutal Arabs, and let's set the whole lot of the poor
creatures free!"

He gave but expression to the feelings which were animating the breasts
of his companions. Dealing blows right and left, they simultaneously
set upon the surrounding Arabs, the old fellow who had bought the girl
being the first knocked over, and the auctioneer with the glib tongue
the second, the others, who drew their daggers, having their weapons
whirled from their hands; while the greater number, astonished by the
suddenness of the attack, took to flight in all directions, pursued by
the now infuriated seamen. The girls crowded together, more alarmed,
probably, than delighted at the efforts made by the gallant tars in
their favour.

Having succeeded, as they believed, in rescuing one of the party, the
seamen, without an instant's hesitation, set upon the other auctioneers
in their immediate neighbourhood, whom they quickly put to flight; and
sweeping on, flourishing their cudgels and shouting at the top of their
voices, they in a short time cleared the square of every trafficker in
human flesh. Jos Green and the midshipmen, who had been at the farther
end of the square, did not understand what was happening till they saw
the Arabs scampering off, turbans trailing behind them, daggers whirled
through the air, slippers left on the ground, sword-blades shivered into
fragments, while not a few long-robed rascals lay sprawling in the dust;
the rest flying at sight of the enraged bluejackets at their heels.
However much Jos and his party might have sympathised with the men, they
at once saw that their proceedings might lead to serious consequences.
In vain, however, he shouted out to them to hold fast; the sailors were
too eager to be stopped, and continued the pursuit of the Arabs towards
every avenue opening into the square. Whenever a party halted, they
immediately, with loud shouts, made at them, compelling them again to
take to their heels.

The midshipmen, indeed, who thought the matter very good fun, encouraged
the men by their shouts and laughter, instead of abetting Green in his
effo