"I didn't agree to do anything of the kind. I told you I would take Paul on board, and then the rest of you, when you asked me to do so. That's the whole of it." "This is treachery," yelled Mad Twinker. "Well, if it is, I think we have carried this thing about far enough. I hadn't any idea of helping you to hand Paul over to Major Billcord. I would sink my carcass to the bottom of the lake first," continued the skipper of the Silver Moon, warmly. "All we have to do, fellows, is to take possession of the boat," shouted Jeff Monroe, as he made a rush aft. "Back into your seat, or I will spill you into the lake!" said Bissell sharply. But Jeff was not to be intimidated by a threat, and, supported by Mad, he made a dive at the skipper. Suddenly the spare tiller appeared in air, in the hands of Paul, and then it came down upon the head of Jeff Monroe. CHAPTER XXI. AN OUTRAGE IN THE STANDING-ROOM OF THE SLOOP. Jeff Monroe fell all in a heap at the door of the cuddy; but his fall did not deter his fellow-ruffians from advancing upon the skipper. Buck Lamb threw himself in front of Mad Twinker, as though he intended to redeem his escutcheon from the stain of defeat. Bissell was no more a fighting character than Paul, and he had not the least idea of "science." Buck was in proper position to make or receive an attack, and the skipper had risen from his sitting posture when the prisoner did. [Illustration: "His fall did not prevent his fellow-ruffians from advancing upon the skipper."--Page 216.] Instead of hitting as a pugilist should, Bissell reached out his long arm, and took the bully by the collar of his uniform, jerked him over once, and then tossed him upon the prostrate form of Jeff Monroe. Mad Twinker had bravely followed up the attack until he was in reach of the skipper's arm, and he was tumbled over in a heap. But Bissell could not do duty with his long arms and steer at the same time; and the Silver Moon, now having a strong weather helm, came up into the wind, and, with her boom shaking in the midst of the combatants, began to roll as though she intended to pitch the ruffians overboard without any help from her owner. Jackson, Sumner and Douglas had retreated from the after part of the standing-room, and the motion of the boat, made more unsteady by the movements of the ruffians, pitched them all into the seats. Buck Lamb and Mad Twinker rose to their feet as soon as they could, but Jeff Monroe was not yet in a condition to move. The skipper put the helm up, and the sloop filled away again. Paul had advanced a pace, and taken a seat near the skipper, but with the spare tiller ready to deal a blow as soon as a head came near enough to receive it.