on their feet, still locked in each
other's arms. Suddenly the Finn wrenched an arm free and drawing back
struck the negro a stunning blow squarely between the eyes. Sam's arms
half dropped to his sides and he reeled drunkenly. Then quick as a flash
he once more seized his enemy in his embrace and a moment later the two
men went overboard.

CHAPTER VIII

A SORRY PLIGHT

There was a great splash. The sturdy life-boat rocked dangerously and
then all was still.

John and George had now lifted themselves from their fallen position and
all three boys peered eagerly about.

"Where are they? What happened?" demanded John.

"They went overboard," exclaimed Grant.

"But where are they?"

"There they are, over there," cried George. "Get out the oars."

A dark head appeared for an instant and then sank beneath the surface of
the water once more.

"That's Sam," cried John excitedly. "Swing the boat around."

"I'm doing my best," panted George as he dipped one oar deep into the
water and pulled with all his might. In response to his efforts the boat
came around until it was directly over the spot where Sam's head had
appeared. John and Grant hung over the sides ready to seize the negro
the moment he was seen again.

"There he is," cried Grant suddenly, and he made a lunge at Sam, who had
come to the surface for the second time.

"Get him?" demanded John.

"Yes. Help me, somebody!"

John sprang to his assistance and a moment later the two boys dragged
the half-drowned negro over the side into the boat.

"Where's Petersen?" demanded Grant, loosing his hold on Sam and allowing
him to sink to the bottom of the boat. "Have you seen him, Pop?"

"No," said George, "I haven't. I've looked everywhere for him, too."

Fred had now recovered somewhat from the blow he had received and he
joined the others in their search for the missing sailor. The four boys
stood up in the boat and peered about them anxiously in every direction.

"Are you sure he didn't come up, Pop?" asked Grant.

"I told you I've been looking for him," said George. "I haven't seen him
at all."

"But he must have come up," protested John.

"Maybe he did," acknowledged George. "I don't believe it, though, for
I've certainly been on the lookout."

"What shall we do?" demanded John in dismay.

"What can we do?" said George.

"But he'll drown."

"He probably has already," said Grant. "Think how long he's been under."

"And you mean to s