The latter now also freed an arm and Jack staggered back from a heavy blow in the face.  Blood streamed from a cut over his right eye, blinding him momentarily.

Jack shook the blood out of his eyes with a toss of his head and stepped forward angrily.  He had no mind to let his adversary clinch again if he could help it.

As the German rushed Jack met him with a stiff left to the face and the man halted in his tracks with a cry of pain.  Jack followed up this advantage with a right-handed blow to the abdomen, doubling the German up like a knife.  Then the lad reached his opponent’s jaw with a hard left.

The man staggered back and crumpled up in a heap.

“So much for you,” muttered the lad, turning just in time to meet the rush of the helmsman, who had now recovered from the effects of Jack’s blow and was coming angrily forward.

Now, this second man was even larger and more powerfully built than the first German, and one huge arm warded off Jack’s first short jab for the face.  Instead of attempting to return the blow, the helmsman grabbed Jack by the arm, and yanked him suddenly forward.

Jack, caught unprepared, went stumbling forward.  The helmsman stepped aside and struck heavily at the lad as he reeled past.

Had he taken his time and aimed carefully the battle would have ended right there; fortunately, however, his haste was too great and he only struck the lad a glancing blow.

In spite of this fact, however, the force of it was so great that it staggered the lad.  Apparently believing that this one blow would end the fight, the German stepped back to watch the effect of it.

But Jack did not fall.  Staggering forward, his hand caught the rail of the boat, where he stood a moment, recovering himself.

The German advanced with a smile on his face.  Jack turned to meet him.

Slowly the German came on, his great arms raised awkwardly and then it dawned upon Jack that all that was necessary to dispose of this great brute was a little skill and caution.  His head was clear now and he advanced confidently.

The German rushed forward.  Jack side-stepped neatly and struck his opponent a heavy blow just above the right ear as he passed.  The man turned quickly and just in time to catch a second powerful blow on the forehead.  Another man would have gone down, but the German sprang forward ready for more.

And he got more.  Jack stood off at arms’ length and peppered him beautifully.  In vain the German struck out and sought to clinch.  Jack dodged his blows and evaded his clasp with ease.  And then the lad saw the opportunity he had been awaiting.

In a desperate attempt to clinch, the German exposed his jaw.  Jack’s right flashed out quickly and then the lad stepped back.  His fist had found its mark; and the German staggered back, reeled, swayed—­fell to the deck unconscious.

CHAPTER X.