The monster uttered a cry of rage, and, snatching up a fragment of spar from the deck, advanced upon them. It leaped with great agility, from the high after deck to the midship house, and then, still uttering its horrible screams, sprang upon the forecastle.
But by that time the two plebes had received reinforcements. The lieutenant in charge of the launch appeared over the railing, and, after the first gasp of surprise, ordered his men on board.
When the latter caught sight of the giant, gorilla-like ape advancing, there was a panic, but a stern word from the officer held the seamen and cadets to their duty.
Joy let fly with a belaying pin he had picked up, and it caught the monster squarely in the face, staggering him. The advantage was followed by the lieutenant without loss of time.
Springing forward with drawn sword, he lunged out, sending the point of the sharp blade into the ape’s breast.
There was a horrible scream of agony as the animal fell to the deck, a snap of the sword as it broke, then, after a few convulsive shudders, there was one foe the less.
In the meantime a prodigious hubbub from aft indicated action in that direction.
When the victorious crew of the launch started aft they saw that Lieutenant Watson had also received reinforcements. But it was plain that still others were needed.
The giant negro was fighting with maniacal fury. And the two apes were following his example so fiercely that the executive officer and his six companions were hard pressed to keep their ground.