Commodore Junk — page 206: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

NEWS AT LAST. 199 the enemy’s intentions ana gathered his men together, than the schooner’s side ground up against the shattered stern of the sloop. Heavy grappling irons were thrown on board, and with a furious yelling a horde of blackened, savage-looking men poured on to the bloody splinter-strewn deck, and coming com- paratively fresh upon the sloop’s exhausted crew, bore down all opposition. Men were driven below, cut down, stunned, and driven to ask for quarter; and so furious was the onslaught that the sloop’s crew were divided into two half helpless bodies, one of which threw down their arms, while the other, which included the captain and officers, backed slowly toward the bows, halting at every spot where they could make a stand, but forced to yield foot by foot, till their fate, it was plain to all, was to surrender or be driven through the shattered bul- warks into the sea. It was a matter of minutes. The fight was desperate, but - useless—Humphrey Armstrong and those around him seeming determined to sell their lives dearly, for no quarter was asked, They had given way step by step till there was nothing behind them but the shattered bulwarks, and then the sea, when, headed by their leader, the buccaneers made a desperate rush ; there was the clashing of sword and pike; and, as sailor and officer fell, or were disarmed, Humphrey stepped in a half- congealed pool of blood, slipped, and went heavily backwards, the buccaneer’s lieutenant leaping forward to brain him with a heavy axe. There was a rush, a fierce shout, Black Mazzard was thrust aside, and the Commodore sprang past him to plant his foot upon the fallen officer’s chest, while, the fight being over, the rest held their hands—the conquerors and conquered—to see what would be the captain’s fate. “Now, Captain Armstrong,” cried the buccaneer leader, “beg for your wretched life, you cowardly dog!” EComicbooks