The next instant his exclamation was echoed by the Jap. Tubby’s rotund form had come hurtling upon the Oriental like a thunderbolt, bearing him to the ground. Temporarily his jiu-jitsu tricks were at a discount.
But all this did not materially aid Rob, who felt his strength fast ebbing under ineffectual attempts to throw off the mighty grip of the massive Dugan. The giant encircled the lad’s windpipe with his rough fingers and squeezed till Rob grew purple in the face. In the meantime, the other lads had their hands full with the Jap, who had again exercised his cunning, and by a simple pressure upon a spot near Tubby’s heart had rendered that youth inactive for some moments.
Dugan’s great paws were sliding under Rob’s jacket to search his inside pockets, when a voice, suddenly hailing them, caused both attacked and attackers to look up. So engrossed had they been in defense and aggression that not one of them had noticed the approach of a stout, thick-set man, in clothes that somehow suggested a sailor. The newcomer’s hair was iron gray and a tuft of the same colored growth adorned his square chin. Under his arm he carried a large box of some kind, carefully covered with newspapers.
For a second he stood petrified with astonishment at the scene upon which he had so unexpectedly come. The next instant his blue eyes snapped steelily, and with a roar he dashed toward the combatants.
“Avast there!” he bawled. “Lay aft, you lubbers! Boy Scouts, ahoy!”
“Captain Hudgins!” shouted Merritt.
“Aye, it’s the captain!” bawled the valiant ex-tar, leaping forward and dealing Dugan a terrific blow with his free arm. With the other he kept tight hold of his big box.
“You interfering old lummox!” bawled Dugan, springing erect, with a roar of fury. “Keep out of this!”
“Not much I won’t,” bellowed the captain, just as loudly. “Lay aft, you military pirate, or the navy’s goin’ to wipe up the ground with the army.”
As the captain spoke, brandishing aloft his free arm, Dugan sprang for him, aiming one of his terrific swings. The captain, who was nimble for his years, sidestepped swiftly, but not quick enough to altogether avoid the blow. Dugan’s fist fell upon the box he was carrying with a crunching, crackling sound.