“Help!� roared the captain, but the cry was choked back in his windpipe as the Spaniard’s long, muscular fingers closed on the seaman’s throat.
“There ees no help for you,� snarled Alvarez, “for put me in preeson I keel you. I am Catalonian; we never for-geeve or forget.�
He raised his knife high, but the next instant a violent blow caught him under the chin and gave him the impression he had been struck by a pile driver. The knife went whirling out of his hand and fell, with a metallic ring, on a cement string piece some distance away.
“Caramba!� howled the Spaniard, holding his jaw.
Captain Briggs still lay sprawling on the dock. He was still only half aware of what was going on.
“Come, get up, captain,� said Jack, extending a hand. As he did so Alvarez made a rush for the young operator who had put his plans of revenge to rout. But again Jack was prepared for him. In his pocket he had a small nickel plated wrench. He held this like a pistol and pointed it straight at Alvarez, who had produced another knife.
“Stand where you are!� exclaimed the boy, “or take the consequences.�
The Spaniard stopped.
“Now, then, hands up,� ordered Jack, and then turned to the captain. “Captain, I see some rope over there. Will you borrow it and tie that rascal up while I keep him covered.�
The captain rose to his feet blinking, but he managed to get through his muddled intellect what Jack wanted him to do. In five minutes Alvarez was tied securely.