The Americans were taken in the rear now. Between them and the sea there was no shelter.
Bang! Bang!
It was the Spaniards in the boats firing.
Up rushed Mr. Tyler.
"Lads," he said, "this place can be held no longer. We are between two fires. There is but one thing to do. We must dash out of here, cut our way through the enemy and storm the fort."
"Hurrah!"
The men shouted wildly. It was a bold plan, quite suited to the audacious nature of these reckless sailors.
Over the rocks, led by the lieutenant, they rushed. Their coming had not been expected by the Spaniards, and the consequence was, that they gave way in face of the sudden attack.
In all directions they turned and fled, the sailors in their eagerness dashing after them and cutting them down. The scene of the fight was a ghastly sight now. All around lay the dead and dying, and every minute added fresh victims to the list.
But now the men were recalled from the pursuit of the flying enemy to resume the main purpose for which they had landed. This was to attack and capture the fort and silence the guns.