CHAPTER XVI
JACK MAKES A NAME FOR HIMSELF
Frank, who had never seen Jack exhibit his prowess in the fisticart, and who was rather a skillful boxer himself, though by nomeans a heavyweight, muttered to himself:
"Why didn't I insist on taking him on myself? Jack is due for agood lacing. He's strong enough, but he hasn't the science, I'mafraid."
He stood nervously in his friend's corner.
The Frenchman opened the fight with a rush, and his friendsuttered subdued cheers and encouragement as he dashed at Jack.In size, it appeared that the two were about evenly matched,although the Frenchman was a shade taller than his opponent.
That his comrades believed him a master of the fistic art wasevinced by their cries:
"Finish him up quickly."
"Let him stay a couple of rounds."
"No; one round's enough."
The Frenchman rushed, evidently having decided to finish thefight as quickly as possible. His expression showed that he hadno doubt of his ability to polish off the Englishman and of hissuperiority as a boxer.
Jack met the first rush calmly, and with a slight smile on hisface. His guard was perfect and not a blow reached him. TheFrenchman landed blow after blow upon Jack's arms, with which thelad covered first his face and then his body.
Frank, having a knowledge of boxing, realized that he waswitnessing a defense that was indeed remarkable, and mutteredhappily to himself. But to the rest of the spectators itappeared that their idol was hitting his man at will, and theycontinued to encourage him with low words, at the same timehurling epithets at Jack.
So far Jack had not attempted to strike a blow; nor had he givenground. He had presented a perfect defense to his opponent, whodanced rapidly about him, striking from this side and that. Theround ended, and still Jack had not offered at his opponent.
The Frenchman himself, however, skillful boxer that he was, wasnot deceived. He realized, as he rested in his corner, that hehad met a foeman worthy of the best he had to offer. As yet,though, he had no means of telling what the lad had in store foran attack of his own; but he realized that Jack's defense waswell-nigh perfect.
Therefore, when they advanced to the middle of the ring for thesecond round, he was more wary, for he had no mind to let Jackslip over a hard blow through carelessness. Suddenly Jack ledwith his right, then made as if to land with his left. TheFrenchman threw up his arm to guard the latter blow, and Jack'sright, which had not been checked--the feint with the lefthaving made the desired opening--caught the Frenchman flush onthe nose.
The Frenchman staggered back. Jack followed this advantage witha quick left and then another right to the Frenchman's face.Both blows had steam behind them, and his opponent, plainly indistress, covered up quickly and cinched.
In the clinch he attempted to deliver several short arm blows,but Jack was prepared for this kind of fighting, and blocked themwith ease. Finally the two broke, and the Frenchman stood on thedefensive.
It was apparent to all who were not too prejudiced that he nowstood in awe of his opponent's hitting power.
Then they stood off and boxed at long range, and Jack trimmed hisadversary beautifully. Tiring of this, the Frenchman rushed, buttime was called as he swung wildly. In swinging he left a wideopening. Jack, starting a hard blow, turned it aside when thereferee called time.
"Where did you learn to box?" asked Frank breathlessly betweenrounds.
"Why," said Jack, with a smile, "from my father. He was ratherproficient in the use of his fists."
"He must have been," said Frank dryly. "Why didn't you tell meyou could box?"
"You never asked me," replied Jack calmly.
He arose and walked slowly to meet his opponent as the refereeagain called time.
"Now, my friend," said Jack to his opponent, "I am going to giveyou as good a licking as you ever have had."
He feinted with dazzling rapidity several times, and drove astraight left to the Frenchman's ear. With lightning-likequickness he played a tattoo upon the Frenchman's face and body.Bewildered, his opponent dashed into a clinch.
"If you say so, we'll call this off right here," said Jack.
The Frenchman suddenly freed himself, and his reply to thiskindly offer was to send a jab to Jack's nose, drawing blood.
"Just for that," said Jack quietly, who felt somewhat ashamed athaving been caught off his guard, "I'll finish this fight rightnow. There is no need prolonging it."
Once, twice, he rocked the Frenchman's head, and then, as thelatter came forward in a last desperate effort, Jack pivoted onhis heel, and, starting his left low, swung. The Frenchmanchecked himself in his attack, and desperately tried to leapback.
But it was too late. Through his guard went the blow, and,catching the Frenchman on the point of the chin, it lifted himfrom his feet and into the air.
At least four feet through the air went the Frenchman, and cameto the deck, head first, at the feet of his friends. He laythere while the referee counted him out.
Quickly Jack leaped forward, and, kneeling, raised his lateopponent's head.
"Water, some of you," he called.
It was quickly brought, and Jack, wetting his handkerchief,bathed the Frenchman's face. His efforts were at last rewardedby a slight groan, and finally the unconscious man opened hiseyes.
"What hit me?" he asked in a faint whisper.
"It's all right, old man," said Jack. "You'll be all right in asecond."
Slowly the light of comprehension dawned in the Frenchman's eyes.He struggled to his feet, where he stood uncertainly for a fewmoments, looking at his conqueror.
Jack extended a hand.
"I'm sorry I had to do it," he said, a pleasant smile lighting uphis face.
The Frenchman looked at him in silence for a full minute, then,stepping forward, he grasped the outstretched hand.
"What are you," he demanded, grinning, "a prizefighter?"
"No," said Jack, with a laugh, "but I guess I have had bettertraining than you."
"Well," said the Frenchman, "if you ever need anybody to help youout, you can count on me. Maybe some day you will bump upagainst someone who can best you, but I believe the two of ustogether can put him down."
"Thanks," laughed Jack, "I'll remember that offer when the timecomes."
The other French middies now gathered found and shook Jack andFrank both by the hand, while the one who had first made himselfodious apologized profusely for his actions.
"Say no more about it," exclaimed Frank. "I'm glad we're allfriends at last."
Further conversation was interrupted by the sudden sound of abugle on deck. It was the call to quarters.
Quickly all sprang to their posts. Men dashed hither andthither, and in almost less time than it takes to tell it theMarie Theresa was cleared for action.
Then, at last having time to glance about, the two lads made outthe cause of this sudden call. Several miles across the watercould be seen two small cruisers. A closer look showed the boysthe German flag flying at the masthead of each.
"Now," said Frank to Jack, "we'll have an opportunity of seeinghow the French fight."
"They'll fight," said Jack briefly. "You may make sure of that."
"Nevertheless I would rather that we had an English crew."
Now the range was signaled to the gunners, and the Marie Theresaquivered and recoiled as the first of her big guns spoke. Theshot fell short. Again the range was signaled, and once more theshot fell short, though nearer, the first of the German cruisers.
The third shot plowed up the water under her bow.
"We have the range now," said Jack, "we'll hit her next time."
His words proved true. A solid shot, hurled by one of the MarieTheresa's forward guns, struck the first German cruiser squarelyin the side. The two following ones hit her just below the waterline.
"That's pretty good shooting, if you ask me," said Frankenthusiastically.
But now the G
ermans also had succeeded in finding the range, anda shell burst over the Marie Theresa, hurling its fragments uponthe deck. Five men went down, never to rise again.
As the battle progressed the two German cruisers drew farther andfarther apart, until now they poured their fire upon the MarieTheresa from two directions. To avoid this cross fire, thecommander of the Marie Theresa signaled full speed ahead, anddashed straight for the nearest of the enemy.
In spite of the galling fire from both of the enemy, the MarieTheresa bore down on the German cruiser. Too late the latterturned to flee from her larger opponent; but her guns continuedto pour in her fire.
Although raked from stem to stern, the Marie Theresa had not beenhit in a vital spot. The first German cruiser turned to run,but, by a quick maneuver, Captain Dreyfuss plowed into her as sheturned. The sharp prow of the Marie Theresa crashed into theGerman amidships, and so terrific was the impact that the Frenchship recoiled.
But it was the death-blow of the German cruiser. Men leaped intothe small boats and put off from the ship, or flung themselveshead first into the sea. The Marie Theresa drew off and turnedher attention to the other German cruiser.
But the latter had had enough. She turned quickly and headedwest. Boats were lowered from the Marie Theresa and hurried tothe aid of the survivors of the enemy. Many were picked up andtaken aboard the French ship.
On the bridge of the German cruiser' now settling fast, could beseen the German commander. Several officers were gathered abouthim. They were gesticulating violently, but to each the captainshook his head negatively.
"They'll all be drowned if they don't hurry," said CaptainDreyfuss anxiously. "Why don't the fools jump!"
Suddenly the German commander drew a revolver from his pocket,and pointed it directly at the protesting officers. They drewback. The German commander followed them.
One by one they threw themselves into the sea all but one. Athim the commander pointed revolver, and shook his head vigorously.The latter protested.
Finally the German commander hurled his weapon far into the sea,and held out his hand. The officer took it, and, arm in arm, thetwo walked, back to the bridge.
The German cruiser lurched heavily, but the two German officerswere unmindful of it. Calmly the commander drew two cigars fromhis pocket, and offered one to the officer. The latter acceptedit, and, taking a match from his pocket, struck it calmly.
He held the match so his commander could get a light, thenlighted his own cigar. Thus the two stood, calmly smoking, asthe cruiser settled.
Slowly the fatally wounded craft sank lower and lower in thewater, until nothing was visible below the bridge. Then, with asudden lurch, this to disappeared--nothing but the mastremained--then nothing at all.
The German commander had gone down with his ship--as had somany before him--as would so many after him.
The commander of the Marie Theresa lifted his cap, uttering noword--a silent tribute to a hero.