"Put up your hands!" sternly ordered Frank. "This is going to be a fight to a finish!"
Instinctively Welter defended himself, as he saw Frank coming at him, and then, there in the boathouse, by the light of the lantern was fought one of the greatest fights in which our young hero ever had a part. It was not all one-sided, either, for Welter was tall and strong.
But he was no match for Frank, burning with anger as he was. The bully tried to block a blow from Frank's left, and countered with his right, but it never got through Frank's guard. Then, like a flash, the young captain crossed, and Welter staggered back from a heavy blow.
"Take that, and then see if you want to ruin any more shells!" exclaimed Frank, as he struck out with his left, straight from the shoulder.
His fist landed squarely on Welter's jaw and once more the bully went over, falling on a pile of sail cloth in one corner. He struggled to rise and Frank stood over him.
"Are you sorry for what you did?" the captain asked threateningly.
"Yes—yes!" stammered Welter, holding his jaw.
"And do you promise never to try such a sneaking act again?"
"I—I do. Oh, don't hit me again!"
"Then get up," spoke Frank grimly.