The little magnate was not slow to avail himself of his opportunity, and springing over the prostrate form of Raymond, still pinned down by the boat-hook, he leaped on board of the yacht. The combat, so far as I was concerned, was happily ended, and Tom Walton and I made good our retreat, which was effectually covered by Joe Poole, who flourished his boat-hook with a vigor that set at nought the paltry bayonets of the war-worn veterans from whose gripe we had rescued the unfortunate commander of the Toppleton forces. “Don’t let them go!” shouted Tommy, as he beheld the result of the brief struggle. “Capture them!” “Let go the painter!” I whispered to Joe Poole. “Capture them!” repeated Tommy, furiously, as he saw the boat recede from the yacht. “Hard a-port the helm!” I called to Skotchley, who was in the standing-room. “What are you about?” demanded Tommy, as I went aft to take the helm. “Don’t meddle with them, Mr. Wolf--don’t, please!” interposed Grace. “Shut up, Grace! If you say a word, I’ll throw you overboard,” said the ungallant major, who was unhappily one of those boys who believe they may say anything to a sister. “I came out here after you, Tommy,” I replied, indignant at the harsh words the little major had addressed to Grace. “I don’t think it is worth while to meddle with those fellows.” “What do you suppose I care what you think!” cried Tommy. “Isn’t this my father’s yacht?” “It is your father’s yacht.” “Then you will capture those fellows, or I will know the reason why,” he added, stoutly. “Don’t touch them, Mr. Wolf--don’t, please,” said Grace. “Mr. Wolf!” sneered Tommy. “Mr. Wolf will do what I tell him.” “I don’t think it is quite proper to get into a row with a young lady on board!” I added, mildly. “Wolf Penniman, you are a coward and a traitor!” exclaimed Tommy. “And you are another!” he added, fixing his indignant gaze upon Skotchley. “Thank you, Tommy,” replied the dignified student, coolly. “You shall be court-martialed as a deserter and a coward!” “Well, I think I can stand it.” Major Tommy glanced at the boat from which he had been removed, and in which his two guards had taken the oars and were pulling for the shore. He seemed to think that they would add two more to the force of the Wimpletonians, and that it was a grave military indiscretion to permit the enemy thus to be augmented. Besides, he must have his own way, and any opposition was quite enough to rouse the evil spirit in his nature. He insisted again that the two guards should be captured. I tried to excuse myself from meddling in the warfare, and Grace stood by me with a zeal which brought down the wrath of her brother upon her. “I say that boat shall be taken,” persisted he, violently. “It is impossible,” I replied, weary of his tyranny. “She is dead to windward of us.” “Please don’t, Mr. Wolf,” added Grace. “Hold your tongue, Grace!” snapped he, as he sprang to the tiller, and shoved me one side.