For a moment Davis shrank back before the boy; but seeing the eager faces about him and realizing that the others expected something from him he jerked off his coat and faced the lad.
"You'll wish you had kept out of my path," he sneered.
It was plain to be seen that sentiment was about evenly divided among the German crew. The men knew neither of the combatants were German, and while they knew that Davis was a traitor to his country, they had a pretty good idea that Jack and Frank were too. For some reason, however, none had the slightest doubt that Lord Hastings was a German.
Now Jack stepped forward, and, speaking in German, said:
"Men, as long as these fellows have got to fight, it may as well be done right, eh?"
There was a general murmur of approval from the crew.
"All right," said Jack. "Now, we won't have any rules, except that this is to be a straight fight. No kicking, biting nor gouging. Nothing but fists go." He looked Davis squarely in the eye. "Do I make myself clear?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Davis sullenly.
"Good. Then when I say 'go' you can tackle each other until I cry stop, which shall be at the end of fifteen minutes, if you are both on your feet. And then you'll stop if I have to take you both in hand. Stand back, men."
The Germans crowded back to the edge of the little room to give the combatants free play. To most of them this was something new.