about him in the darkness, and to give ear to the sounds of the battle.

The giant still pursued his advantage, and still Dick fled before him,
spying for his chance. Then the huge blade flashed and descended, and
the lad, leaping on one side and running in, slashed sideways and upwards
with his bill. A roar of agony responded, and, before the wounded man
could raise his formidable weapon, Dick, twice repeating his blow, had
brought him to the ground.

The next moment he was engaged, upon more equal terms, with his second
pursuer. Here there was no great difference in size, and though the man,
fighting with sword and dagger against a bill, and being wary and quick
of fence, had a certain superiority of arms, Dick more than made it up by
his greater agility on foot. Neither at first gained any obvious
advantage; but the older man was still insensibly profiting by the ardour
of the younger to lead him where he would; and presently Dick found that
they had crossed the whole width of the beach, and were now fighting
above the knees in the spume and bubble of the breakers. Here his own
superior activity was rendered useless; he found himself more or less at
the discretion of his foe; yet a little, and he had his back turned upon
his own men, and saw that this adroit and skilful adversary was bent upon
drawing him farther and farther away.

Dick ground his teeth. He determined to decide the combat instantly; and
when the wash of the next wave had ebbed and left them dry, he rushed in,
caught a blow upon his bill, and leaped right at the throat of his
opponent. The man went down backwards, with Dick still upon the top of
him; and the next wave, speedily succeeding to the last, buried him below
a rush of water.

While he was still submerged, Dick forced his dagger from his grasp, and
rose to his feet, victorious.

"Yield ye!" he said. "I give you life."

"I yield me," said the other, getting to his knees. "Ye fight, like a
young man, ignorantly and foolhardily; but, by the array of the saints,
ye fight bravely!"

Dick turned to the beach. The combat was still raging doubtfully in the
night; over the hoarse roar of the breakers steel clanged upon steel, and
cries of pain and the shout of battle resounded.

"Lead me to your captain, youth," said the conquered knight. "It is fit
this butchery should cease."

"Sir," replied Dick, "so far as these brave fellows have a captain, the
poor gentleman who here addre