Caramba! but you die!"
"Some day!" answered Dan, coolly, as he parried a furious blow. "Ah! my
gold-laced don, you're beginnin' to see that Dan Daly's handled a sword
before."
The two men were practically alone. Captain Moret had his back to the
mast, and Dan, agile as a cat, despite his age, was hopping merrily
round and round him.
The tide of battle had passed them by.
Such of the Spaniards as had not thrown down their arms had retreated in
a body towards Lieutenant Tyler's force, with Young Glory and his band
of fifty blue jackets in hot pursuit.
"It's your beautiful uniform I'm afther spoilin'," said Dan, as he gave
a thrust. "Arrah! but that was a great stroke, though it's meself as
says it."
The stroke in question was a severe cut on Captain Moret's sword arm,
which caused him instantly to pass his weapon into his left hand.
"Ould gentleman," said Dan, "it's a poor chance ye have. Surrender!"
"Never! While my men fight I will!"
"Begorra, but it's a nuisance ye are. I'm bound to kape ye alive, an'
while I'm here I'm afther losin' all the great fight that's goin' on.
Ah! it's Dan Daly's the man was born under an unlucky star."
It was perfectly clear that the Spanish captain was in Dan's power.
Every moment he weakened, though he continued from time to time to make
frantic thrusts at the Irishman. Faintness from loss of blood was
coming over him, and it was with difficulty that he kept on his feet.
"Betther give up, captain dear," said Dan in a most insinuating voice.
"What! I hand my sword over to a common sailor!"
"To the last of the Dalys!" replied Dan, drawing himself up proudly as
the Spaniard had done. "It's a king I'd be if I had my rights."
"Three cheers for King Dan!" shouted a voice.
"Young Glory!"
But Dan never turned his head. He was making passes at the Spanish
captain as if he meant to pin him to the mast.
"Surrender!" cried Dan once more.
"To you, never!"
"But to me, captain," said a voice that caused Dan to start. "I am the
commander of the Nashville."
Dan was completely astounded to find Captain Long beside him.
The Spanish captain bowed, and without a word he handed his sword to
Captain Long.
"Faith!" exclaimed Dan, "I'm not understandin' it at all. Young Glory,
why are you here when there's fightin' to be done?"
"You don't understand, Dan. I do. Look!"
Young Glory pointed to the masthead of the ship. There, Dan Daly, to his
astonishment saw the
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