Part 33 (1/2)

The German shrank back, and for a moment it seemed that he would throw down his knife and cry for mercy. But if he had such a thought in his mind, he discarded it; he sprang at Jack, fiercely.

Again Jack avoided the thrust of the knife and caught the stabbing wrist in his right hand. Then, bringing all his tremendous strength to bear, he stooped slightly and jerked with his hand.

The German was pulled clear of the bottom of the boat and ascended into the air. Then he shot suddenly forward and cleared the boat by a good five feet.

There was to be one last encounter before the possession of the boat finally came into the hands of the friends undisputed. One of the Germans, revived by the water, had come up aft and laid hold of the boat near where the German officer sat. The latter saw him and s.h.i.+fted his position just in time to avoid being dragged overboard.

He grew suddenly very angry.

”You murderous dog!” he cried.

Rising to his feet he stooped quickly and seized an oar. Before the man in the water could realize his purpose, he had brought the oar down with all his force on the hand that grasped the boat.

With a howl of pain the German released his hold, his fingers shattered by the force of the blow. Without a word the German officer dropped the oar and resumed his seat.

Jack and Harris now approached Frank's side and the former bent over him. Frank was just regaining consciousness. He smiled as Jack asked him how he felt, and asked:

”Did you lick them all?”

”You bet,” returned Jack, then turned to Harris. ”I suppose we should pick up some of those fellows, if we can. We can't see them drown before our eyes.”

”You're too soft hearted for me,” declared Harris. ”However, whatever you say.”

They gazed into the water. There was no German in sight.

”Be ready to jump in the moment a head appears,” said Jack.

Harris nodded and the two stood ready to give aid to the first enemy that should appear.

Ten minutes they waited--fifteen. No head appeared above the surface of the water.

”I guess it's no use,” said Jack, slowly, at last. ”They're gone!”

CHAPTER XXII

PICKED UP BY THE ENEMY

It was dark.

All through the afternoon Jack and Harris had rowed untiringly, but with the coming of nightfall there was no land in sight.

”Nothing to do but keep pulling in the same direction,” said Jack.

Harris nodded.

”All right,” he said, ”but I'm getting tired. I'll have to rest up for an hour or so.”

”Let me row awhile,” said Frank. ”One of you fellows can take the tiller here.”