nd with these he raked the deck of the enemy--fore and aft--with
shot and shell.

All this time the vessels had been drawing closer together. Now the
German commander, apparently realizing that he was fighting a losing
battle, steamed full speed for the Russian ship. By a hasty maneuver the
Russian commander avoided being run down, but a second later the vessels
crashed broadside to broadside.

The German vessel stood somewhat higher in the water than did the
Russian craft, and before any aboard the latter realized what was
happening, the foe swarmed down the side onto the Russian vessel. So
sudden and unexpected was their onslaught, that for the moment the
Russians on deck gave way before them; and had it not been for the
presence of mind of Hal and Chester, it is likely the German rush would
have been successful.

The two lads sprang forward into the very faces of the enemy, their
automatics spitting fire as they leaped. Alexis and Stephan came close
behind them. The very fury of their attack caused the Germans to halt
momentarily, and this gave the Russian sailors time to rally and spring
to their aid.

Their automatics having been emptied, the lads leaped into the thick of
their foe, striking out with their naked fists. Hal twisted a sword from
the hand of a German officer, and laid about him lustily. Chester,
stooping, came to his feet with a sword in his hand, and joined his
friend in the press. Alexis also possessed himself of a weapon and
rushed forward.

By this time the Russian sailors had met the foe and the conflict became
general. Slowly the Germans gave way, retreating to the side of the
ship. Then, suddenly, they turned and leaped for their own vessel, which
still lay close, under the guiding hand of the German commander. The
Russians plunged after them, following them to the deck of the German
ship.

Brought to bay, the Germans turned in a last desperate stand. Releasing
the helm, the German commander himself sprang into the midst of the
struggle. His sword flashed aloft, and two Russian sailors hit the deck,
pierced through and through. He was a big man, this German commander,
and a powerful one. As he pressed fiercely forward, for a moment the
first line of Russians gave way; but at that moment he ran against a
solid obstruction in the form of Alexis.

They fell to, hand to hand, and on all sides of them the others gave
way. Thrusting and parrying, the two skipped forward and back, each
losin