The blade had already cut through the young lieutenant's shirt and scratched his skin, when Oscar raised the electric rifle with the rapidity of lightning.
Zip! There was a faint, hissing sound, and Canelli fell over backward, mortally wounded.
"Ha! You have killed him——" began Captain Roquez, when Oscar clapped his hand over the Spaniard's mouth.
"Say another word, or make the least outcry, and I will serve you in the same way!"
"Gosh! but that was a close shave!" gasped Andy, as he staggered forward. "I was afraid I was a goner!"
"Hand me that leather strap and I will make this fellow a prisoner," said Oscar.
The strap was quickly adjusted, and then Oscar brought forth a large neckerchief, which he speedily transformed into a gag and inserted in Captain Roquez's mouth.
"What shall we do with him?" questioned Andy.
"We'll put him in the pantry for the present. The dead body we can stow away under my couch." For Canelli had breathed his last.
Back of the apartment was a pantry containing flour, potatoes and other ship's stores.