ried, "from this man!"

She did not realize the meaning of de Lussan's words, she only saw a
deliverer for the present. It was ten minutes past the hour now. She
welcomed any respite; her lover might come at any moment.

"I will fight the both of you for her," cried the Frenchman; "you, Black
Dog, and you, Master Morgan. Draw, unless you are a coward."

"I ought to have you hanged, you mutinous hound!" shouted Morgan, "and
hanged you shall be, but not until I have proved myself your master with
the sword, as in all other things. Watch the woman, Carib, and keep out
of this fray. Lay hand on her at your peril! Remember, she is mine."

"Or it may be mine," answered de Lussan, as Morgan dashed at him.

They engaged without hesitation and the room was filled with the sound
of ringing, grating steel. First pulling the pins from her glorious
hair, Mercedes shook it down around her bare shoulders, and then stood,
fascinated, watching the fencers. She could make no movement from the
wall as the negro stood at her arm. For a space neither of the fighters
had any advantage. De Lussan's skill was marvelous, but the chief
buccaneer was more than his match. Presently the strength and capacity
of the older and more experienced swordsman began to give him a slight
advantage. Hard pressed, the Frenchman, still keeping an inexorable
guard, slowly retreated up the room.

Both men had been so intensely occupied with the fierce play that they
had not heard the sound of many feet outside, a sudden tumult in the
street. The keen ear of the half-breed, however, detected that something
was wrong.

"Master," he cried, "some one comes. I hear shouts in the night air. A
shot! Shrieks--groans! There! The clash of arms! Lower your weapons,
sirs!" he cried again, as Spanish war cries filled the air. "We are
betrayed; the enemy is on us!"

Instantly Morgan and de Lussan broke away from each other.

"To-morrow," cried the buccaneer captain.

"As you will," returned the other.

But now, Mercedes, staking all upon her hope, lifted her voice, and
with tremendous power begot by fear and hope sent ringing through the
air that name which to her meant salvation--

"Alvarado! Alvarado!"

CHAPTER XIX

HOW CAPTAIN ALVARADO CROSSED THE MOUNTAINS, FOUND THE VICEROY, AND
PLACED HIS LIFE IN HIS MASTER'S HANDS

The highway between La Guayra and Venezuela was exceedingly rough and
difficult, and at best barely practicable for the stoutest wa