In an instant the grove seethed with a terrific conflict, in which Stumpy’s party was set upon by three times the number. And John Pearse was carried into the thick of the fight; unwilling or not, his skilled rapier began to take toll of the roaring furies about him. And while the battle raged, and Dolores stood calmly looking on, one of the pirates whose duties had kept him at the anchorage of the schooner appeared with a rush upon the scene and shouted:

“Lads, ye’re being fooled! The slaves are even now taking the treasure down to the schooner!”