A scornful smile curled Jack's lips as he gazed steadily back at his foe.
"Truax, you're a coward, as well as a sneak."
"I am—eh?"
With another nasty oath Truax stepped quickly forward, the steel bar upraised.
He took but one step, however, for Captain Jack Benson had not retreated an inch.
Nor did Jack have his hands up in an attitude of guard.
"Are you going to put that bar down, Truax?" the young skipper demanded, in a voice that betrayed not a tremor.
"No."
"Then you'll have to make good in a moment, for we're going to attack you."
"Bah! I can stave in two or three heads before any number of you could stop me," sneered the fellow, in an ugly voice.