distance away.

“Caramba!” howled the Spaniard, holding his jaw.

Captain Briggs still lay sprawling on the dock. He was still only half aware of what was going on.

“Come, get up, captain,” said Jack, extending a hand. As he did so Alvarez made a rush for the young operator who had put his plans of revenge to rout. But again Jack was prepared for him. In his pocket he had a small nickel plated wrench. He held this like a pistol and pointed it straight at Alvarez, who had produced another knife.

“Stand where you are!” exclaimed the boy, “or take the consequences.”

The Spaniard stopped.

“Now, then, hands up,” ordered Jack, and then turned to the captain. “Captain, I see some rope over there. Will you borrow it and tie that rascal up while I keep him covered.”

The captain rose to his feet blinking, but he managed to get through his muddled intellect what Jack wanted him to do. In five minutes Alvarez was tied securely.

“Now, then, quick march,” said Jack, getting behind him.

“Where you teek me?” sputtered the Spaniard.

“To the ship. In the morning you will be lodged in jail, I hope.”

As they advanced to the ship, which lay two piers away, Jack explained to the captain the narrow escape he had had. The captain thanked him with maudlin tears, which rather disgusted Jack. When the ship was reached the captain reeled off to bed while Jack placed Alvarez forward under the guard of two men.

“He’ll be all right till morning,” he said to himself, but when morning came, Alvarez was gone.

The ropes that had bound him had been cut. They lay on the deck with cleanly severed ends.

Jack cross-examined the two sailors, set to guard him, severely. Both protested vigorously they had not taken their eyes off him all night. But Jack, of course, knew better. He knew, too, that among the superstitious sailors Alvarez, on account of certain claims he made to being a wizard, had much influence. It was certain he had escaped with the connivance of the crew.

“Well, good riddance of bad rubbish,” commented Jack to himself, little dreaming that he was destined to encounter Alvarez again.

 Prev. P 24/114 next