Bang! and the ball grazed the upper plates of the submarine boat.
But before another shot could be fired the new Holland was safe, having slid under the Corcoran and away out of sight and hearing.
While this was going on Oscar had thrown himself on Hang Chang.
The Chinese captain was a powerful man and realizing that he had been caught in a trap he resolved to sell his life as dearly as possible.
He was on the floor, but soon he struggled to his knees and tried to throw Oscar.
Over and over went the pair, bumping against the companionway ladder and the hard steel walls of the ship. Then the Chinaman grabbed Oscar by the throat.
"Die, dog!" he hissed in his native tongue. "If I have to go, you shall go with me!"
All was becoming black before Oscar's eyes. He tried to get his breath—to cry out. All in vain.
The young captain felt his senses leaving him, when somebody rushed up. It was Andy, who had left the spot to give directions to the engineer.
Without hesitation Andy leaped at Hang Chang.