"Stop that!" said Jack, sharply. "Cease rowing!"
The men made no move to obey. Jack stood up in the boat and stepped forward.
"Did you hear me?" he said quietly, though it was plain to Frank that he was very angry. "Cease rowing!"
"But——" began the nearest German.
Jack wasted no further time in words. His left arm shot out and he grasped the nearest German by the coat. Raising him quickly to his feet, he struck him heavily with his right fist and then released his hold. The man dropped to the bottom of the boat and lay still.
"Any more?" asked Jack. "Cease rowing!"
The remaining three Germans shipped their oars without a word, although each bestowed an evil glance upon the lad. Frank, catching the look in their eyes, muttered to himself:
"They'll bear watching."
"Harris," said Jack. "That man in the water is the one who would have saved us a short time ago. He seems to be weak. Slip over the side and lend him a hand, will you?"
Harris did so without question and a moment or two later the German tumbled into the boat, where he lay panting, blood streaming from an open wound in his forehead. Harris climbed back in the boat.