But Ned Warbeck was fully aware of his opponent’s cunning, and treated his cowardly thrust with a loud laugh of contempt. Once or twice it seemed as if Redgill really intended to murder Ellen Harmer as she unconsciously clung to the brave youth her protector. In looking after her safety, therefore, Ned Warbeck often missed excellent opportunities for wounding Redgill seriously. On the other hand, however, Ned Warbeck was falling weak, and he received several slight cuts in the arms and legs. Redgill, thinking that he had his antagonist safe, and need not fear his repeated thrusts, stepped still closer. This was what Ned Warbeck had long wanted him to do, but had so disguised his wish that Redgill could not understand the trick. “I’ll play with you no longer,” said Redgill, with a laugh of triumph. “You have ever been a snake in my path; now, Ned Warbeck, die like a dog!” With a shout of derision, and with eyes glaring in deadly hate and rage, he rushed upon Ned, and a terrible struggle ensued. With the stroke of Vulcan, young Warbeck struck down Redgill’s sword point, and at the same moment Phillip Redgill fell to the earth with a loud groan. Ned Warbeck’s sword had been buried to the hilt in Phillip’s body. A loud shout applauded this unexpected stroke of good-fortune. “Brave lad!” “Hurrah for Wildfire Ned!” “Good luck to you, young Warbeck!” resounded on all sides. With an elastic stride, and his sword still dripping with Phillip Redgill’s blood, Ned Warbeck strode through the applauding crowd, still bearing in his arms the form of Ellen Harmer, and took her to a house near by, that restoratives might be administered to her. But while this was taking place, let us return to Lieutenant Garnet and his men. Many of them had wildly rushed at the walls and gates, but were unable to force them. For Death-wing and his party, finding that they themselves were in turn attacked by the citizens, made superhuman exertions to escape from the trap into which they had unconsciously fallen. Instead, therefore, of Death-wing slaying all he met with in the huge Block-house, he made friends with all Captain Jack’s men that remained unhurt, and they prepared for a terrific resistance to the armed citizen patrol outside, who were making fruitless efforts to break down the heavy, massive wooden stockade which surrounded the immense yard of the Block-House. They kept up a galling fire upon the citizens with guns, pistols, stones, bricks, and whatever came to hand, from the windows and roof. Several of the citizens had been killed or wounded long before Ned Warbeck and his friends had arrived on the scene, When, however, Ned was engaged in the deadly dud with Phillip Redgill, Lieutenant Garnet, like an old and experienced sailor, soon changed the whole aspect of affairs, and cheered on his men. He took the entire command, re-invigorated their efforts, and completely altered the mode and direction of attack.