s in
his hand, and down came the Nicaraguan colours. Having tucked them
under his arm, he again, with cutlass in hand, made a rush at the enemy.
The fight, in the meantime, had been raging in all parts of the fort.
Its issue was never for a moment doubtful, though the enemy, mustering
nearly 200 strong, showed a bold front; but they could not withstand the
charge now made by the gallant soldiers and bluejackets. Turning tail,
off they scampered as fast as their legs could carry them, through the
outlets in the rear of the fort.

"On lads! on!" was the cry, and after them dashed the whole body of
their assailants uttering a ringing cheer which tended to increase the
rapidity of their flight. Jack and Terence, and the other officers led
the sailors. Captain Babbicome, though undoubtedly not as active as the
rest, had managed to scramble into the fort, and now puffing and blowing
was well in advance.

As soon as they gained the shelter of the wood, many of the fugitives
turned and fired, but again fled as their pursuers came up with them.
Tom and Gerald having assisted to capture the flag were somewhat behind
the rest. As they ran on they saw the obese, though gallant, commander
just before them, flourishing his sword and shouting, "On, lads, on!
Tally ho! tally ho! We'll have their brushes before long. Make
mincemeat of the rascals! Tally ho, boys tally ho!"

His voice grew hoarser and hoarser. Some of the fugitives stopped,
turned round, and fired. Suddenly, down he went on his face, his sword
flying out of his hand.

"There's old Babbicome knocked over," cried Tom and Gerald in the same
breath.

Though they would have preferred seeing the end of the "fun," as they
called it, they felt that it was their duty to stop and assist him.
Having summoned some of the men near them to their aid, they lifted him
up, but no wound could they discover.

"I'm done for," he groaned out.

"Where are you hit, sir?" asked Tom.

"Nowhere that I know of, but I'm shaken to death. Running doesn't suit
my constitution. Carry me back to my boat."

His groans and sighs showed that he was much hurt. His own men coming
up obeyed his orders, and Tom and his companions continued the pursuit.

A Nicaraguan officer and several men had already been taken prisoners
and sent down to the landing-place. Every now and then the pursuers
caught sight of the enemy among the trees, who, as soon as they saw them
coming, again darted of