f the "Restless" knew any fear, at such
moments, he didn't permit others to see it. He neither stopped nor
swerved. Ducking in under Jasper's extended right arm, Tom closed with
the fellow, grappling.

"Confound ye! I'll have to throw ye over into the water!" growled
Jasper, fighting for a hold around the boy's waist and behind his
back. But Halstead fought to break the grip, at the same time
yelling:

"Hank! Here, mighty quick!"

Jasper fought, trying to force the young commander to the rail. He had
half succeeded when Hank Butts raced on deck. Hepton, the other guard,
who had been lounging in the engine room, was right behind Butts. Both
of them raced to reach the struggling pair. Hank caught Jasper at the
waist-line, while Hepton took a hold at Jasper's neck, forcing the
fellow back.

Then Tom sailed into the melee with renewed energy. Jasper was a
powerfully-built fellow, but the three were too many for him. They
tripped Jasper, throwing him to the deck, and Hepton sat upon his
comrade's chest.

"Halstead! You others! What does this violence mean?"

Powell Seaton shouted the question sternly. He had been disturbed by
the racket and now stood amidships.

"Get him over, face down," panted Tom. "We'll make sure of the fellow
before we begin to explain. Hank, run for a pair of handcuffs!"

Butts was up and off like a shot, wholly liking the nature of his
errand.

"Halstead!" raged Mr. Seaton. "I insist upon an answer."

"It's a case of sea-bullying--that's what it is," growled Jasper.
"It's an outrage."

"Hepton," warned the charter-man, "get up off of Jasper's chest. Let
him go."

"Don't you do it," countermanded Tom Halstead. "It won't be safe. This
fellow is a snake in the grass. I caught him at his tricks."

Hepton had acted undecidedly for a moment. Now, he concluded to stand
by the young captain.

In a trice Hank was back. Now the three assailed Jasper, rolling him
over on his face. Tom Halstead, himself, fitted the handcuffs.

"Take the wheel, Hank, until I'm through with this," panted Tom,
leaping up from the treacherous guard. The locked wheel was now
steering the "Restless" over an erratic course, but Hank swiftly had
the boat on her true course once more.

"I insist on knowing what this shameful business means," cried Mr.
Seaton, glaring at his young skipper.

[Illustration: Tom Halstead Fitted the Handcuffs.]

"I should think you might. It's an outrage!" shouted Jasper.

"This fell