Commodore Junk — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

838 COMMODORE JUNK. Before they could recover from their surprise he had torn a sword from one of them, and, whirling it round his head, he drove them back, and clasping Mary Dell’s waist, stood with flashing eyes, ready for the first who would attack. “Is there no man here who will help?” he shouted. “ Bedad there is!” cried Dinny, leaping upon the nearest, and in a moment tearing his weapon from his hand. “If I die for it, captain, it shall be like a man.” Black Mazzard stood for a moment aghast at the daring displayed. Then a grim look of savagery crossed his evil countenance, and he drew his sword. “ Now, my lads,” he said, fiercely, ‘it’s three ropes we want, I see. Come on.” He made a rush forward, followed by his men; but at this moment a solitary shot flashed from the folds of the curtain, and as the report reverberated through the great stone chamber, Black Mazzard span round as if upon a pivot, and fell with a heavy thud upon the floor. His men paused in their onslaught, appalled by the sudden- ness of their leader’s fall; but as they saw Bart come forward, piece in hand, their hesitation turned to rage, and they advanced once more to the attack. ‘‘ Good-bye!” whispered Humphrey, bending for a moment - over Mary, who clung to him, her eyes fixed on his with a longing, despairing gaze, and then, as he thrust her back, the attack began. The odds were about eight to one, and the issue could not for a moment be in doubt ; but hardly had sword met sword, and blow been exchanged, when a ringing cheer arose, and with a rush a couple of dozen well-armed sailors dashed in by corridor and window, and the tables were completely turned. There was a rush made for the door, but those who tried in that direction were driven back; while half a dozen who Gomichbooksneo =