JACK VS. JACK
Diabolical anger showed upon the face of Captain Jack as he grappled
with the young Englishman. The pirate chief held the advantage when
the two came together, for he had the impetus of his advance behind
him, while Jack was off his balance when they grappled. Therefore
Captain Jack was uppermost when they struck the deck.
Three members of the pirate crew--all that were near at that
moment--sprang forward to lend a hand to their leader. Then Frank took
charge of the situation. He produced two revolvers with a single
movement. Williams did likewise. Captain Glenn, always a sailor,
sprang to the wheel and put the submarine back on an even keel--she
had been staggering when Frank released his hold. The sailors Timothy
and Allen were in another part of the vessel at the moment.
"Stand back!" cried Frank, and the pirates halted in their tracks.
Frank covered them with his two revolvers.
"Get their guns," the lad instructed Williams.
The latter obeyed and soon the three pirates were helpless.
In the meantime, Jack and Captain Jack, closely locked, were struggling
for mastery. Williams advanced to lend Jack a hand, but Frank motioned
him back. He had no fear of the outcome despite the fact that Captain
Jack seemed to have all the advantage.
"Let 'em alone, Williams!" the lad cried. "A thrashing will do the
pirate good; and he's about to get it."
Williams stood back, but he and Frank both held their automatics ready
for instant use, for they were determined to see fair play.
Jack was still underneath, but he had thrown both powerful arms around
the neck of the pirate captain and the latter, who had now got to his
knees, was struggling to break this hold. Jack held on grimly.
Suddenly Jack braced his feet against one side of the narrow corridor,
and still lying on his back, heaved mightily. The pirate chief,
powerful man though he was, went sailing in the air and his head struck
the opposite wall with a resounding crack.
Jack released his hold and sprang to his feet
The shock had momentarily stunned Captain Jack and Jack stood back,
waiting for the pirate to regain his senses. The man staggered to his
feet, brushed his hand across his face and then glared at Jack.
"A very pretty trick," he exclaimed, "but you won't catch me napping
again."
He sprang toward Jack and aimed a vicious blow at the lad's face with
his right fist. Jack stepped nimbly aside and the blow went wide.
Before the pirate could recover his balance, Jack struck him a heavy
blow under the right ear. A less powerful man would have gone down
under the force of it, but Captain Jack simply shook his head angrily
and turned sharply to renew the attack. Nevertheless, this time he
advanced with greater caution.
For several moments the two stood at arm's length and sparred. In this
style of fighting, however, the young Englishman had all the better of
it and after he had landed several blows upon the pirate's face and
body, the latter rushed into a clinch.
Captain Jack had lost his first pangs of anger and was fighting more
coolly and carefully now. He realized after a few minutes that he had
met his match, and, he wasn't sure as yet, but, perhaps, his superior.
As the two struggled in each other's embrace, each seeking an advantage
without presenting an opening, Jack Templeton smiled and spoke.
"I've got you, Captain Jack," he said, "but I am ready to cry quits any
time you give the word."
Captain Jack made no reply, but only tried the harder to encircle
Jack's neck with his right arm.
Suddenly Jack freed his right arm, which had been pressed close to his
body by the pirate's left, and brought his fist up under Captain Jack's
chin. It was a powerful short-arm blow and the pirate chief staggered
back. Jack gave him no time to li ft his guard, but bored in.
"Crack! Crack!"
Right and left, with all Jack's strength behind them, struck the
pirate, the first between the eyes and the second on the chin. Captain
Jack floundered back across the corridor.
Jack stopped in his tracks; then, pivoting on his heel, he shot out his
right with all his power. Captain Jack, struck again squarely upon the
point of the chin, crumpled tip without a word and lay still.
Jack stepped back and surveyed his fallen foe.
"Easier than I thought it would be," he said quietly. "Had he known
anything of boxing there might have been a different story to tell."
Frank stepped forward and took his friend's hand.
"You're some scrapper, all right," he said, "but what are we going to
do now?"
"Well," said Jack, "we seem to be in command of this submarine. I vote
that we appropriate it for the British navy."
"Or the American navy," added Frank.
"Whichever you say," said Jack.
"In the meantime," said Williams dryly, "it might be well to tie up our
pirate commander."
"Right you are," said Jack. "Frank, you see to that, will you? I want
to go on deck and see whether my torpedo struck home."
Without waiting for a reply he mounted the ladder.
Frank turned to look about for strong cord with which to bind the
pirate captain. As he did so he was startled by a cry from Captain
Glenn at the wheel. He had replaced his revolvers, but now his hands
dropped to them. Before he could draw, however, strong hands drew him
back. Williams also was suddenly attacked from behind.
Captain Glenn released the wheel, but before he could produce a weapon,
he found himself looking down the barrel of a shining automatic held by
a member of the pirate crew.
What had happened was this: While Jack had struggled with the pirate
chief, several members of the crew had watched the struggle from the
safety of the darkened corridor. They had made no effort to interfere
while Frank and Williams stood guard with their revolvers, but when
Jack went on deck and Frank and Williams put away their weapons they
crept close and sprang when the moment was propitious.
Frank struggled desperately, but hands held him tight. So with
Williams. A moment later both were securely bound, and the pirates
then gave their attention to Captain Glenn, who also was safely tied
up.
While these proceedings were going on Captain Jack opened his eyes.
He took in the situation clearly and got to his feet. He approached
Frank.
"It seems," he said quietly, "that we have resumed our former status.
Once more I am the captor and you are my prisoners. Where's
Templeton?"
"On deck, Captain," said one of the pirates.
"Good!" said Captain Jack. "Four of you station yourselves at the
ladder there and grab him when he comes down."
The pirates followed instructions. To Frank Captain Jack said:
"I would advise you not to cry out when he descends. If you do it may
be necessary to shoot him."
Frank realized the value of this reasoning and promised to say
nothing. Williams and Captain Glenn also signified their intention to
remain quiet.
Meanwhile, Jack, on deck, scanned the sea through the blackness in an
effort to pick up the German raider if she still remained afloat. As
his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, he saw what he believed was
a mass of wreckage some distance away. Gradually the shape in the
water became more distinct.
It was indeed the wreckage of the German raider that Jack beheld there
in the darkness.
"Pretty good shooting, Jack, old boy," the lad told himself. "Can't
tell whether the crew went down or has made off in the boats. However,
there is nothing we can do for them. Guess I'd better be getting back
below."
He descended the ladder.
As he stepped from the bottom rung, many hands seized him from behind
and he was carried to the deck. Jack struck out with both hands and
kicked with both feet. Grunts told him that several of these blows had
found their mark.
But the odds against him were too great. Gradually he was borne back
and at last, it seemed to the lad, many men sat on his chest. He heard
the voice of Captain Jack:
"Bind him securely, men."
Jack quit struggling and lay still.
Two minutes later he was securely bound and permitted to stand.
Captain Jack grinned at him.
"He laughs best who laughs last," he quoted, with a smile.
"So he does," Jack agreed, "but I don't think this is the last laugh."
"Well," said Captain Jack, "you've been on deck, did your torpedo go
home?"
"It did," said Jack quietly.
"That means," said Captain Jack, "that I probably shall have trouble
with the Germans on Kaiserland. They won't rest until they clear up
the mystery. I ought to have you shot."
"Suit yourself," said Jack briefly.
For a moment the pirate chief eyed the lad angrily. Then he said:
"I'll decide on your punishment later. Meanwhile, we'll get back to
the island."