"Pretty good shooting, Jack, old boy," the lad told himself. "Can't tell whether the crew went down or has made off in the boats. However, there is nothing we can do for them. Guess I'd better be getting back below."
He descended the ladder.
As he stepped from the bottom rung, many hands seized him from behind and he was carried to the deck. Jack struck out with both hands and kicked with both feet. Grunts told him that several of these blows had found their mark.
But the odds against him were too great. Gradually he was borne back and at last, it seemed to the lad, many men sat on his chest. He heard the voice of Captain Jack:
"Bind him securely, men."
Jack quit struggling and lay still.
Two minutes later he was securely bound and permitted to stand.
Captain Jack grinned at him.
"He laughs best who laughs last," he quoted, with a smile.
"So he does," Jack agreed, "but I don't think this is the last laugh."
"Well," said Captain Jack, "you've been on deck, did your torpedo go home?"