d her footing in the cockpit.

"Splendid!" he whispered, and she tossed her head with a pretty smile of
relief.

Porter had been standing close by, the boathook in his hands. "Is there
anything more to be done?" he asked of Orme.

"Yes, wait a moment."

The Japanese had made no move to prevent the girl's escape. Indeed, while
she was leaping to the other boat, he balanced himself and turned to his
motor, as though to continue the work of repair.

"Now, then," called Orme, "you must give me those papers."

"No understand." The Japanese did not even look up from his task.

Orme turned to Porter. "Give me the boathook," he said, and, taking it,
he hooked it to the gunwale of the other boat, drawing the two crafts
together. His intention was to use the boathook to bring the Japanese to
terms. But the Oriental was too quick. His apparent indifference
vanished, and with a cat-like pounce, he seized the boathook and snatched
it from Orme's grasp.

The action was so unexpected that Orme was completely taken by surprise.
He made ready, however, to leap in unarmed, but the Japanese thrust the
blunt end of the boathook at him, and the blow, which struck him in the
chest, sent him toppling backward. He was saved from tumbling into the
cockpit by Porter, who caught him by the shoulders and helped him to
right himself. The two boats tossed for a moment like corks in the water.

When Orme again leaped to the gunwale, the Japanese was using the
boathook to push the craft apart. A final shove widened the distance to
six or eight feet. The jump was impossible. Even if the boats had been
nearer together it would have been folly to attempt an attack.

Stepping down into the cockpit, Orme bent over the girl, who had sunk
down upon a cushion. She seemed to be content that he should play the
game for her.

"What is wrong with his motor?" he said. "Do you know?"

She answered in an undertone: "I shut off the gasoline-supply. He wasn't
looking. He didn't see."

"Good for you, Girl!" he exclaimed. "Where did you do it? At the tank?"

"No. Unfortunately the valve is at the carburetter. Oh," she continued,
"we _must_ get the papers!"

Orme turned to Porter. "Are you willing to take a risk?" he asked.

"Anything in reason." The life-saver grinned. "Of course, I don't
understand what's going on, but I'll back you."

"This is a good, stout tub we are in." Orme hesitated. "I want you to ram
her nose into that other boat."

Porter