Collier momentarily forgotten, Merrick drew his cutlass and took on the first man who reached him, halting a furious blow with a quick lift of his blade. Another man attacked from the side. Merrick plunged his boot into his stomach, sending him stumbling backward. Other Spaniards swept past Merrick, engaging Collier and his men, and he silently prayed they would kill Collier, free their governor, and end this senseless slaughtereven though he knew it would also mean his own ...