arine for fear the shell might hit Jack in the water.

"Take the bridge, Mr. Hetherton!" he cried. "Lower a boat, men!"

The boat was lowered in a trice and Frank and a score of sailors sprang
in. The launch darted toward Jack at full speed, Frank standing erect and
with the quartermaster at the rudder.

They were close enough to see the struggle between Jack and the German
commander in the water. Frank saw the man break loose from Jack and strike
out for the submarine. He saw Jack make after him, and he saw something
more.

Half a dozen German sailors leaped into the water and made for Jack, who
apparently did not realize his own danger, so interested was he in the
pursuit of the German commander.

"Faster!" cried Frank, and drew his revolver.

Now, for the first time, Jack realized his danger. But it was too late to
draw back, and it is doubtful if he would have done so anyway.

"I'm going to get that fellow," he gritted between his teeth, referring to
the German commander.

One of the German sailors struck at the lad with a knife. Jack caught the
man's arm with his left hand and twisted sharply. There was a snap, and
the knife dropped into the water. The sailor uttered a cry of pain and
turning, struck out for the submarine with his good arm.

Two sailors now beset Jack on either side, and the German commander turned
to renew the struggle.

"Kill him!" he cried angrily.

One of the sailors raised himself high in the water, and a knife flashed
above him.

"Crack!"

A revolver spoke sharply and the knife dropped from limp fingers.

Frank, standing erect in the Essex's launch, had fired. Now, as has been
said, Frank was a crack shot, and in spite of the pitching of the small
boat, his aim had been true. The bullet had struck the German sailor's arm
just below the elbow, shattering the nerve.

Perceiving the approach of reinforcements, at an order from their
commander, the Germans turned and swam rapidly toward the submarine. The
sailors reached the vessel and climbed aboard. Their commander did
likewise.

Unmindful of the cries of his friends behind him, Jack also laid hold of
the edge of the submarine and drew himself, dripping, aboard the vessel. A
sailor near the conning tower raised his revolver in deliberate aim.

"Crack! Crack!"

Two revolvers spoke almost as one, the first Frank's, the second that of
the sailor who aimed at Jack. But Frank's bullet went home, thus
deflecting the aim of the