seated.

CHAPTER VII

A DESPERATE STRUGGLE

"Sit down, Sam! Sit down!" cried Fred, who was placed nearest him.
"What's the matter with you? Are you crazy?"

Sam, however, made no answer. He strode forward toward the object of his
hatred, paying no attention to Fred's words and showing an absolute
disregard of the danger of falling overboard. Fortunately in this peril
the boat was heavy and very steady.

"Get back there!" cried Fred in alarm, trying to grab Sam's arm.

"Lemme go," said Sam roughly, knocking Fred's hand aside.

"Grab him, John. Grab him," shouted Fred as the excited negro made his
way past the seat where he was located.

"Lemme go," said Sam darkly, and seeing the look on his face John drew
back instinctively.

"Hold him, Grant! Grab him, Pop!" shrieked Fred, at the same time rising
to his feet and attempting to catch Sam from behind.

He was too late, however. Sam, seeing that he might be balked in his
purpose, took no more chances. He made one flying leap almost over the
heads of Grant and George, who were waiting to seize him. This was done
so unexpectedly that the two boys were taken by surprise, and though
they tried to do as Fred had begged them, they were unsuccessful. Sam
tripped and fell forward, but when he landed he fell squarely on top of
his enemy.

The boat rocked dangerously. Fred was thrown from his feet and fell
headlong to the bottom of the boat. In falling his head struck one of
the thwarts, so stunning him that he was unable to move.

"Separate 'em, Grant!" cried John. "Stop that fight!"

Grant threw himself upon the contestants and tried to pinion Sam's arms
behind his back. The negro and the sailor were both powerful men,
however, and Grant was thrown violently backward as though he had been a
mere fly. George caught him just in time to prevent his going overboard.

"I can't stop them," he gasped.

"Hit him on the head," cried John. "Do anything. Make 'em stop. Here,
let me get down there," he begged.

"Sit down," shouted George. "Sit down, John, or you'll have us all
upset."

"No, I won't, either. Let me get by."

"Sit down, String," begged Grant. "Keep your seat."

"Take this oar, then," cried John. "Hit that coon on the head with it."

"It's too big," exclaimed Grant. "Give me something smaller and I'll hit
him all right."

The two men in the stern of the boat were locked in each other's
embrace. Sam had had the advantage, for he had landed on t