im at the smaller sailor. Jerry struck him once, with each
lively fist, then sent the fellow spinning back to Hickey. The latter
caught Gaston, tossing him up in the air, then striking him hard as the
fellow came down. This done, the chauffeur was again hurled back at
Jerry. For some time the two sailors kept this up. It was rough,
heavy punishment. Gaston bellowed like a sick bull under all the
strenuous handling. He must have ached in every bone in his body
when Hickey finally caught him, on a rebound, and held him off at
arm's length.

"Had about enough, Frenchy?" demanded the big sailor.

"Oh, mercy, monsieur!" panted the fellow wailingly. "I have had much
plenty to last me all my life."

"I wish I knew whether ye was lyin'," muttered Hickey, thoughtfully.
"I don't feel a bit tired, yet. Do you, Jerry?"

"Me? The exercise has warmed me up fine," grinned the smaller sailor.

"Mercy, messieurs, mercy!" wailed Gaston, sinking down to his shaking
knees, for he feared that these grim tormentors meant to kill him.

"I'd just as soon you'd let up on the scoundrel, if you don't mind,
mates," broke in Jack. "You see what a cur he is when he isn't having
it all his own way. I told him, back in the cave, that he'd be just
this sort of a fellow if the tables happened to be turned."

"Did ye say ye was going to turn him over to the officers?" asked
Hickey.

"Yes," spoke Jack Benson, decisively. "A fellow plying the trade of
this one needs to be locked up as long as possible."

"Oh, no, no, no, my brave Captain!" implored Gaston, wobbling around
upon his knees so as to face the submarine boy. "Not the jail! Not
the prison! Me! I have always been as free as the birds of the air.
I would die in prison."

"I can't see where much loss will come in if you do," retorted Jack,
coldly. "Hal, you brought the handcuffs out with you?"

He held up both pairs.

"No, no, no!" pleaded Gaston, almost tearfully. "Not such disgrace
as that!"

"Let me have a pair of the bracelets," requested Hickey, holding out
one of his hands. "Now, my tine bird, let me clip yer wings."

Gaston submitted meekly enough, then was dragged to his feet.

While Hal had brought out the lantern and the handcuffs, famished,
thirst-tormented Jack Benson had looked after the water bottle and the
sandwiches. Now, as all hands trudged along toward the beach the
young skipper ate and drank to his full content.

Arrived in town, they rou