304 FOR THE FLAG

man, will you commit the crime of striking a blow at
France ?”

But my intervention will not be necessary. Roch is
no longer in the grip of his mental malady ; he is in full
possession of his senses, and master of himself. When he
finds himself facing the flag, ke knows. Fully compre-
hending the whole situation, he steps back from his
standpoint.

Some of the pirates approach, to force him up to the
apparatus once more. He repulses them—struggles with
them.

Ker Karraje and Serko hasten to the spot. They point
to the rapidly advancing ship, and command him to
discharge his shells. All in vain.

Captain Spade and the others, roused to the utmost
fury, threaten him—swear at him—strike him—endea-
vour to tear the tube from him, they can use its contents
as effectively as he.

Roch frees himself with a sudden bound, flings the tube
on the ground, and smashes it under his heel.

Then what deadly terror seizes upon these wretches !
The cruiser is approaching the rock-island. They can
neither destroy it nor return the fire which was now
opened briskly; shells fall upon the island, and the rocks
are split in all directions.

But where is Roch? Has he been struck by a shell or
a splinter? No,I catch a last glimpse of him as he rushes
across the passage.

Ker Karraje, Serkd, and the others follow him