ould be inadvisable to relieve them of their weapons--it would have
aroused their suspicions--and they were receiving Davis' proposals with
satisfaction. It seemed that they had long harbored such thoughts and
all that had been needed to egg them on had been a leader. They seemed
to have found one in Davis.

"Then you men are with me?" asked Davis, his face flushed with pleasure.

The answer was a cheer; and the cheer carried to Jack, who was still in
Davis' quarters. It told the lad what had happened just as well as
though he had been present and overheard the conversation.

"Quick men! Back to the bridge!" the lad exclaimed.

He dashed forward, but he was not quick enough.

As he left Davis' cabin the Germans appeared in the little passageway
aft, Davis in advance. He saw Jack the same moment the latter saw him
and both raised their revolvers and fired. But neither had paused to
take careful aim and both bullets went wide of their mark.

Edwards and the two other British sailors now sprang into the little
passageway and levelled their revolvers at the foe. For a brief moment
the Germans hesitated, and in that moment the British poured in a
volley. Two men fell, another groaned, and two cursed--while at a
shouted command from Davis, the fire was returned.

The sailor McDonald flung wide his arms and toppled to the floor.

"Back, sir!" cried Edwards. "They are too many for us."

The three retreated along the passageway until they reached the ladder
leading to the bridge.

"You first, sir!" said Edwards, at the same time firing down the
passage.

Jack hung back.

"After you," he replied.

"Don't be a fool now," said Edwards. "Hurry, while I hold them off."

Again he fired at the crowd of German faces down the passage, as did
O'Brien.

Jack hesitated no longer and climbed the ladder rapidly.

"You next, O'Brien," said Edwards.

O'Brien sprang to the ladder, but a bullet from a German revolver halted
him halfway. He toppled over without a word. Edwards glanced at him
quickly once, saw that he was beyond help, and sprang to the ladder
himself.

A bullet struck him in the side but it did not stop him. Jack, at the
top, lent the man a helping hand, and a moment later Edwards stood
beside him on the deck.

"No time to waste, sir," said the sailor. "Over the side with you,
quick!"

Jack flung himself into the river as Davis showed his face on deck.

CHAPTER XXI.

AT SEA AGAIN.

Edwards, al