rough a possible arm guard and deep into the abdomen. Roger's
back was against the rail and he could not retreat. He heard Higgins
ask a question, but he did not turn his head. His thumbs hooked easily
in his belt, his eyes held steadily on the captain's, he waited, his
body apparently frozen with fright. In reality he was seething with
purpose and ready to function at the right moment, his eyes betraying
no vestige of his intentions. Suddenly his left foot shot out and
upward with incredible swiftness. The captain's knife hand flew up to
save itself, and ere it came down Roger, moving forward with the kick,
had swung his right fist like a thunderbolt to its mark beneath the
captain's heart.

The thud of the blow was followed by a moment of complete silence, of
complete inaction. The crew behind the captain stood still, staring
and frozen with consternation. The captain stood slightly stooped
over, his knees bent, mouth open, gasping for air, his eyes popping.
Slowly, brutishly he began to wilt and topple forward. He was almost
bent double before he fell; and with the thud of his body upon the
deck, one of the crew groaned: "Killed by a fist blow, by God!"

"Killed nothing," retorted Higgins. "He's just got the wind belted out
of him good and plenty. But somebody will get killed sure 'nough if
you bad men try any more knife tricks."

"You damn fool!" muttered the scarred man to his companion. "You left
that rifle in the canoe."

"They's only two of 'em; let's get 'em."

At that instant the captain moaned painfully.

"Anybody else want the same dose?" asked Higgins.

He and Payne stood poised on the balls of their feet, their fists
swinging, ready to hurl themselves forward to meet the expected rush.
The captain moaned again. The rush did not materialize.

"That's right," said Roger. "We've got no quarrel with you fellows."

"Who are you?"

"I told you--land buyers."

"What'd you butt in for?"

"Four on one, and you were kicking at him at that."

"Any business of yours?"

"We made it so. The next move is up to you."

"Licker!" groaned the captain. "Gimme drink--I'm dying."

One of the men made a movement toward his left hip pocket, but halted
guiltily.

"Ain't got no licker."

"Go ahead; give him some!" chuckled Higgins. "We aren't revenue men."

The man finally produced a bottle of colorless stuff, a stiff drink of
which brought the captain to his knees. A second drink and he wa