Bang! The shot that Jack fired sent a bullet crashing through the door close to the upper framework.
"You see, Gray!" Jack called coolly, "we're armed, too, and in overpowering numbers. Resistance is worse than foolish."
Bang! came the hostile answer.
This shot was fired through one of the panels of the stateroom door—fired at an angle, too.
Plainly the shot was intended to hit the young naval lieutenant. It passed Benson's right side by a margin of barely two inches.
"Pass me another revolver," whispered Benson, in the stillness that followed.
All through the day and evening these seamen, though outwardly respectful, and wholly well disciplined, had cherished a great deal of amusement over their boyish officers.
Now, however, these bronzed men of the deep beheld Benson and Somers at work in a manner worthy of any product of Annapolis.
The second revolver was handed to Jack.
"I want to be in this, too," muttered Ensign Eph, and held back his hand for weapons.