Jasper fought, trying to force the young commander to the rail. He had half succeeded when Hank Butts raced on deck. Hepton, the other guard, who had been lounging in the engine room, was right behind Butts. Both of them raced to reach the struggling pair. Hank caught Jasper at the waist-line, while Hepton took a hold at Jasper’s neck, forcing the fellow back.
Then Tom sailed into the melee with renewed energy. Jasper was a powerfully-built fellow, but the three were too many for him. They tripped Jasper, throwing him to the deck, and Hepton sat upon his comrade’s chest.
“Halstead! You others! What does this violence mean?”
Powell Seaton shouted the question sternly. He had been disturbed by the racket and now stood amidships.
“Get him over, face down,” panted Tom. 116 “We’ll make sure of the fellow before we begin to explain. Hank, run for a pair of handcuffs!”
Butts was up and off like a shot, wholly liking the nature of his errand.
“Halstead!” raged Mr. Seaton. “I insist upon an answer.”
“It’s a case of sea-bullying—that’s what it is,” growled Jasper. “It’s an outrage.”
“Hepton,” warned the charter-man, “get up off of Jasper’s chest. Let him go.”
“Don’t you do it,” countermanded Tom Halstead. “It won’t be safe. This fellow is a snake in the grass. I caught him at his tricks.”