“Poltroon!” Zorro sneered. “Coward and dog!”
“Fly, Diego!” the señorita begged. “The pirates will be here and take you.”
“When I have slain this arrant coward and rescued you, and not before!” Señor Zorro declared.
He danced toward Captain Ramón again, but the commandante was back in a corner now, holding the señorita close before him, and Señor Zorro was afraid to attempt a thrust. The señorita made a struggle to get free, but found that she could not.
In the other room the woman Inez had heard the tumult and the words. She had dared to open the door a crack and peer inside, and then she had closed the door again and barred it quickly, and hurried into the open.
“Barbados!” she shrieked. “Sanchez! Fiends of hell! Señor Zorro is here trying to kill the captain! Come and take him!”
Barbados heard and understood her shrieks, as did some of the others near. They rushed across the open space and crowded into the front room of the building. From the storeroom came the sound of Señor Zorro’s voice.
“Hide behind a woman, eh, coward? Come out and fight, poltroon! Come out, renegade! Is there no insult strong enough to bring you forth?”
Barbados motioned with one hand. Inez unbarred the door and threw it open. Into the storeroom tumbled the pirates, their blades held ready.
“Take him alive!” Barbados thundered. “Catch me this land pirate unhurt!”