“Put up that knife!” growled one of the men. “Do you want to hang?” “He strika me!” palpitated Tony, struggling to get at Chet. The sight of the knife caused Chester to pale a little and shrink away. “Hang onto him!” he ordered. “Don’t let the murderous fellow break away from you!” One of the sailors attempted to reason with the Italian, but it was some moments before Tony quieted down and put up the knife. By that time several others had taken a hand, and there was no possibility that the infuriated Italian could reach Chester. As soon as he saw this, Arlington once more became bold and reckless in his manner, and applied several scornful epithets to Tony. “Get out of here, now!” he commanded. “Go back to the yacht and stay there!” Without a word the Italian turned and left the saloon. Dick had been prepared to leap through the window to Arlington’s protection in case it was necessary, and he was relieved when the affair terminated in this manner. At the same time, he felt that Chester had made a desperate and bitter enemy in Tony. When the Italian was gone Arlington sat down at the table and once more ordered drinks. “I will have that fellow discharged,” he declared. “If you don’t,” said Moran, “the chances are that he will stick a knife between your shoulders some dark night.” “Oh, I am not afraid of the dog!” averred Chet. “I am afraid of no one! The man doesn’t live that I am afraid to face!” “How about Dick Merriwell?” inquired Moran. “Why, I don’t give a rap for him! He’s a common bruiser, and that’s why I don’t fight with him! I paid you, didn’t I?” “Yes.” “Well, what are you kicking for? You have no kick coming. Drink up.” By this time Dick had decided that it would be anything but an easy task to get Arlington away from his companions while in such a condition. He could not return and tell June, and he was wondering what could be done when suddenly, without the least warning, he was struck to the ground by some one who had noiselessly approached from behind. CHAPTER XV. A FRIEND IN NEED. Bound hand and foot, Dick Merriwell lay on the floor of the deck of Mrs. Arlington’s yacht and heard Chester giving orders which indicated that he meant to put out from the wharf and leave the harbor as soon as the engineer could get up steam. Dick had been carried there by his captors, who, after striking him down, bound him firmly before he could recover and resist. Chester came and stood near him, swaying a little as he looked down at the unlucky youth. “Got you this time, Merriwell,” he declared thickly. “So you were sneaking around and looking into the windows, were you? Well, you made a bad mess of it. Where’s Lazaro?” “Here, sir,” answered a voice, and a man approached. “Lazaro, you’re all right!” asserted Chet. “Lazaro, you’re a dandy! How did you happen to spot him, Lazaro?”