"Arrah! it's hidin' ye are!" shouted Dan. "It's here ye ought to be. It's yer foine gold lace I'd be afther seein'!"
But even this invitation did not tempt the officers of the cruiser to come to closer quarters.
One by one the men dropped. The enemy's loss was far the greater, but they were able to sustain it better than the Americans.
Mr. Tyler saw this, and wished to end matters.
"Follow me!" he cried, bravely, turning to his men and waving his sword.
With a cheer, led by Young Glory, the blue jackets sprang forward and dashed at the Spaniards. The latter, appalled by the fury of the attack gave way.
But it was only for an instant. The Spanish officers struck their men with the flat of their swords, compelling them to stand their ground. More than one Spanish sailor was pistoled as an example to the others.
Like desperate men they rallied. On they came, bearing back the Americans by force of numbers.
To the ground fell Mr. Tyler.
A dozen Spaniards rushed at him.