a-boat!" was the order.

The _Oxford_ was now forging slowly through the water. During the
rescue of the _Tehuantepec Girl's_ people, she had drifted rather too
close to the burning ship to be safe, should an explosion occur.
Already von Hauptwald was fifty yards astern, with the two seamen
swimming towards him with powerful strokes.

His efforts to drown were a failure. He simply couldn't keep his head
under. His attempts to swallow quantities of salt water only increased
the instinctive motion of the limbs to keep himself afloat. Bitterly
he regretted that he had not picked up some heavy metal object during
his career across the cruiser's quarterdeck.

The approach of his would-be rescuers made him realize the necessity of
self-destruction. At the encouraging shout of "Cheer up, old mate,
you're safe!" spluttered by the leading seaman, he dived, pressing his
chest with both hands in the hope that he would be able to expel the
air from his lungs.

A horny hand gripped him by the arm. He felt himself being drawn to
the surface. As his head appeared, he swung round and dealt the seaman
a powerful blow with his fist. The man, taken completely by surprise,
relaxed his grip. Von Hauptwald's blow had almost broken his shoulder.

"Be careful, Ginger!" he shouted to his mate. "He's fair balmy. Mind
he don't plug you."

The second seaman swam in a circle just beyond reach of the spy's arm.
His attempt to get behind the German failed, for the simple reason that
von Hauptwald gave no opportunity for an attack in the rear. The other
sailor, floating on his back and rubbing his injured arm, was content
to shout advice and await developments.

The red-haired man was not deficient in courage, but he did not at all
relish the idea of tackling single-handed a powerfully built
maniac--for such he took the spy to be. He wisely awaited the approach
of the _Oxford's_ sea-boat, which, manned by four rowers who were
encouraged by Midshipman Setley, was being urged rapidly towards the
scene.

"Way enough!" shouted the middy.

The bowman boated his oar and leant over the bows. As he did so von
Hauptwald avoided his grip, and, seizing the boat's keel, brought his
head in violent contact with the elm planking.

Then it was that Ginger saw his chance and took it. Grabbing the
German by the legs, he hung on like grim death, shouting to his
comrades to "tackle the lubber".

Within an ace of capsizing the boat, von Haupt