ut of the corner of his
eye, and wheeled round just in time to parry the flying missile with the
blade of his sword.
"Halt!" he cried, "and extend yourselves across the street, facing
outward!" And at the same instant he whipped a pistol from his belt,
levelled it, and fired at the aggressor, who flung up his hands and,
with a shriek, fell prostrate in the gutter, with the blood rapidly
dyeing purple the dirty white of his shirt. A howl of execration and
dismay from the Spaniards immediately followed this act of retaliation,
knives were whipped from their sheaths, and for an instant it looked as
though the mob were about to charge; but the business-like promptitude
with which the English fitted their arrows to their bows, and drew the
latter, quelled the courage of their assailants for the moment, who
contented themselves by yelling execrations as they lifted the injured
man and carried him into the nearest house. Then, satisfied with the
effect of their demonstration, the English resumed their march; but the
mob continued to hang tenaciously upon their skirts, like a pack of
hungry wolves, and it became every moment increasingly evident that it
would need but a little encouragement to induce them to attack in deadly
earnest.
In this fashion the English proceeded for nearly half a mile when they
perceived what appeared to be a square opening out before them; and a
moment later, as they debouched into it, they saw that this square was
full of soldiers, both cavalry and infantry.
"Back for your lives into the street; you will stand a better chance
there!" yelled Stukely, halting and facing the little band who followed
him. But it was too late; the street behind them had in some
unaccountable fashion also filled with soldiers, and the retreat of the
English was cut off. They were trapped as neatly and effectually as
their enemies could possibly have desired.
"Did you know anything of this?" demanded Dick of the man who had led
them thus far.
"On my soul, no, senor, as I hope for salvation!" fervently answered
Pacheco, looking fearlessly into Chichester's eyes.
"I believe you," returned Dick, releasing his grasp upon the halter
round the Spaniard's neck. "Go, and save yourself while it is possible.
One of your own countrymen will doubtless free your hands; I have no
time to do it. Go!"
"My thanks, senor; and may the Blessed Mother and the saints protect
you!" And, bending forward, he went at a run, w
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