ager to
take their turn amongst the mangroves.

Meanwhile a net of fire and steel was being drawn around the workers.

The net was set; every mesh was tested, and yet the fowler hesitated to
draw it in: all the birds were not gathered in the baited area. The
water-carriers were too far from the diggers, and the ship rode clear
of the shore. The Indian allies hid, waiting with inexhaustible
patience. The Spanish troops were restless and ill-controlled. They
saw two small parties of Englishmen busily engaged, and without
suspicion of danger. It was so easy to form two bands, surround and
capture all. Barely a dozen men remained aboard the ship; surely they
could seize the vessel at their leisure! The Spanish commander did not
possess Basil's gift of caution. He determined to attack, and launched
a mixed force against the water-carriers and seized every one. Another
band dashed for the mangroves; but warning had been given. Sir John
and his gentlemen whipped out their swords, and the workers seized
pick-axe and shovel. Captain Drake saw the movement in the trees,
shouted an alarm, and at once turned his guns on the rustling patch. A
couple of terrific charges followed; trees splintered and crashed, and
the Indian allies fled in terror, freeing some of the water-carriers,
who plunged at once into the bay and swam to the ship. The group of
mangroves was a natural fortress, and the Dons failed to get in at the
first rush. The flight of the Indians threw them into a momentary
disorder; and Captain Drake, instant in appreciating an opportunity,
turned a gun a little wide of the cluster, and sent a ball smashing
into the rallying place of the foe. Covered by the armed gentlemen,
the workers retreated to their boat; arrows and a few musket balls flew
after them, but the ship's guns again spoke out, and no Don dared show
himself. The boat was reached at the cost of a few wounds. At the
ship's side the men received arms, and the soldiers aboard leaped down
to take the place of the wounded. The boat went ashore once more, and
the whole of its company made for the spring, hoping to rescue the men
there. The enemy opposed their way, but they drove them before them,
and the guns from the vessel swept and cleared the surrounding patches
of woodland. The spring was reached; the Dons had fled; and the marks
of the short struggle were all the rescue party discovered. They
followed the trail for a while, but the foe ha