“But I guess you won’t,” sneered the German.

“Then don’t try me too far,” said Jack quietly.  “To my mind, men like you and your cowardly followers should be put out of the way the same as a mad dog; and certainly there is no law against killing a dog.”

“I warn you,” said the German, taking a step nearer the lad, “to be more choice in your words.”

“Silence!” Jack thundered, “and don’t you dare step toward me unless I tell you to do so.”  He turned to Frank.  “Take those men below and put them in irons,” he ordered.

Frank stepped forward to obey, and again the German commander protested.

“You can’t do that,” he said.  “My men are prisoners of war and as such are entitled to all the usual courtesies.”

“They are, eh?” asked Jack.  “Then I’ll modify that order a bit, temporarily, Mr. Chadwick, will you kindly bring irons for this man here,” and he indicated the German officer.  “I want his men and all our passengers to see how he looks in shackles, which he should have been made to wear long ago.”

Frank hurried away.  The German commander, after taking one step back at Jack’s words, stepped quickly forward again.  His hand went to his side and he produced a long knife.  Then he sprang.

Jack smiled slightly, stepped quickly to one side and with his left hand caught the German’s knife arm.  He twisted sharply, and the knife dropped to the deck.

Jack released his hold and the German staggered back.  Deliberately Jack cuffed the man across the face with his right hand, then with his left.  Twice more he did this, following the German as he retreated across the deck.

“Let that teach you,” he said, “that attempting to stab a British naval officer is very bad business.  But here comes something that will teach you more,” and he pointed to Frank, who reappeared at that moment followed by two sailors bearing heavy chains.  “These irons,” Jack continued, “will show you just what is in store for you when you are landed in England.  Hold out your hands.”

The German did so.  Quickly handcuffs were snapped on.

“Shackle his legs,” said Jack.

The sailors needed no urging.  Quickly the German’s legs were shackled with the heavy iron.  Jack took a couple of steps back and surveyed his prisoner.

“If you had been dressed up in those several years ago,” he said, “I’ve no doubt lots of innocent women and children now at the bottom of the sea would be alive still.”

The German commander scowled, but he said nothing.

“Now, Frank,” said Jack, “you will take the other prisoners below and put them in irons.  I guess our friend here will no longer object.”

The German sailors were led below, where they were soon safely chained and Frank returned to the bridge.

“Kindly pass the word for all the passengers and the crew to come on deck, Mr. Hetherton,” ordered Jack.