"Blow her up!" shrieked an officer, in Chinese. "Make dog's meat of her!"
"Back her, full speed!" yelled Oscar. "Quick, Dross, for our very lives depend on it!"
And back went the Holland XI. at full speed, churning up the ocean into a milky foam.
"Bang! bang! boom! boom!" went the Chinese guns.
All of the shots but one flew wide of their mark.
One shot hit the bow of the Holland and glanced off, leaving a badly cracked plate behind.
"Down we go!" sang out Oscar, and down they did go, and in another minute were safe for the time being.
Then the young captain fainted.
When Oscar came to his senses he found Martha Adams bending over him and binding up his wound for him.
"You are so brave!" she murmured. "I shall never forget you, never!" And she blushed deeply.