which he brandished like a switch. Against this opponent, with his reach

of arm and the length and weight of his weapon, Dick and his bill were

quite defenceless; and had the other continued to join vigorously in the

attack, the lad must have indubitably fallen. This second man, however,

less in stature and slower in his movements, paused for a moment to peer

about him in the darkness, and to give ear to the sounds of the battle.

The giant still pursued his advantage, and still Dick fled before him,

spying for his chance. Then the huge blade flashed and descended, and

the lad, leaping on one side and running in, slashed sideways and upwards

with his bill. A roar of agony responded, and, before the wounded man

could raise his formidable weapon, Dick, twice repeating his blow, had

brought him to the ground.

The next moment he was engaged, upon more equal terms, with his second

pursuer. Here there was no great difference in size, and though the man,

fighting with sword and dagger against a bill, and being wary and quick

of fence, had a certain superiority of arms, Dick more than made it up by

his greater agility on foot. Neither at first gained any obvious

advantage; but the older man was still insensibly profiting by the ardour

of the younger to lead him where he would; and presently Dick found that

they had crossed the whole width of the beach, and were now fighting

above the knees in the spume and bubble of the breakers. Here his own

superior activity was rendered useless; he found himself more or less at

the discretion of his foe; yet a little, and he had his back turned upon

his own men, and saw that this adroit and skilful adversary was bent upon

drawing him farther and farther away.

The Black Arrow