"No sir; he has hidden them behind the lower end of the sugar mill. The air is too full of bullets to expose the women to them."
"Good for Hicks! Tell him I said so. He is to remain where he is until either the Mexicans' fire ceases or he receives different orders from me."
"Very good, sir."
Stooping, the marine picked up the worse injured of the two wounded sailors and swiftly bore him away in his arms.
"Cease firing!" shouted Darrin, running along his valiant little line of sailors. "Load your magazines and let the rifles cool until the Mexicans start up again."
For, with the exception of a shot here and there from behind the hedge, the destructive fire had ceased.
"We must have hit a few of them," chuckled Darrin to John Carmody, who stood beside him.
"I hope you killed them all," replied the planter. "They're brutes, when they have their own way."
"Riley!"
"Aye, aye, sir."