The intruder made no reply, but exerted himself climbing to the platform, from which he could have taken possession of the boat in spite of the efforts of the boy, who was unarmed, having left his automatic and searchlight with Case on shore.
He looked about for some weapon with which to repel the boarder, but the platform was clear. Then he sprang to the window, hoping to get through it and barricade himself in the cabin.
But he found Captain Joe stuck in the opening! The dog was doing his best to wiggle out, his eyes flaming fiercely, his snarling jaws showing two rows of capable teeth, as he eyed with disfavor the faint figure of the man who was already climbing on the boat. It was a desperate situation, but at the same time it had its humorous features, as Captain Joe certainly was in a comical plight, half in and half out of the window.
“Get him, Joe!”
Jule urged the dog on by pointing as he spoke. Captain Joe licked his chops, as if anxious to sample the intruder, but he was stuck fast, and the boarder was now half out of the water.
“Get him, Joe! Get him!”
The boy gave a yank at the dog’s head as he gave the command, and then something happened. The dog slipped out of the window opening, passed through Jule’s arms like a white flash of light and launched himself on the man who was almost on the platform.
The two, the dog and the bearded man, went over the rear together with a great splash, and directly two heads were dimly seen on the surface. Captain Joe had caught the Englishman by the shoulder, and a stain of red dropped from his jaws before his head disappeared from sight again.
The boy did not want to see the dog kill the man, and he shouted to Captain Joe, entreating, commanding, coaxing, but the water was deep and the unequal combat was going on beyond the reach of words.
While Jule waited for the fighters to come to the surface again, hoping that he might be able to do something toward releasing the man, Alex came bobbing around the corner of the boat. At the first sound of Jule’s voice on the boat he had leaped into the water and made for the stern platform. This interruption saved the man’s life, for Captain Joe, coming to the surface, recognized his master and, releasing his hold, swam toward him.