CHAPTER V.
_A Timely Interference_ A young man in the uniform of a British naval lieutenant leaped in front of the girl with drawn sword, with which he laid about him lustily, striking some of the men with the flat of it, threatening others with the point; and backing his actions by the prompt commands of one not accustomed to be gainsaid, he soon cleared the space in front of her.
"How dare you interfere in this matter, my lord ?" shouted Johnson, passionately.

"I command this party, and I intend--" "I know you do," replied the officer, "and that I am only a volunteer who has chosen to accompany you, worse luck! but I am a gentleman and a lieutenant in his Britannic majesty's navy, and by heaven! when I see old men mishandled, and wounded helpless men about to be assassinated, and young women insulted, I don't care who commands the party, I interfere.

And I don't propose to bandy words with any runagate American partisan who uses his commission to further private vengeance.
And I swear to you, on my honor, if you do not instantly modify your treatment of this gentleman, and call off this ragamuffin crew, you shall be court-martialled, if I have any influence with Dunmore or Parker or Lord Howe, or whoever is in authority, and I will have the rest of you hung as high as Haman.

This is outrage and robbery and murder; it is not fighting or making prisoners," continued the young officer.

"You are not fit to be an officer; and you, you curs, you disgrace the uniform you wear." Johnson glanced at his men, who stood irresolute before him fiercely muttering.