fired. One inflicted a nasty cut on his cheek, and another struck him on
the hand.

"Are you hurt, Dick?" Ned said, as his brother leaped back.

"No, nothing to speak of; but it was a close shave. Perkins, pick up my
sword, will you? I didn't think of their firing."

"Being indoors, they are not afraid of the pistols being heard any
distance," Ned said. "Keep a sharp lookout, lads, in case they make a rush
upstairs, while I tie up my brother's hand and face."

"They are coming, sir," the sailors cried, as the house shook with the
rush of a body of men up the stairs.

"Stand well back, lads, and cut them down as they enter the door."

Pushed from behind, five or six of the enemy burst simultaneously into the
room; but ere they could fire a pistol, or even put themselves into an
attitude of defense, they were cut down or run through the body. Then a
tremendous crash and a wild cry was heard.

"Hurrah!" Dick shouted, "the staircase has given way."

Many groans and shrieks were heard below; then there was a sound of
persons being carried out, and for awhile, quiet below, while outside the
hubbub became greater.

"What is going on outside?" Ned said, and Dick and he peered through the
closed jalousies into the street.