"All right," said Jack. He called to the men in the water. "You fellows climb aboard here, one at a time; and when you get in, remember you are our prisoners. Any foolishness and we'll pitch you back again." The Germans offered no protest and climbed into the boat one at a time. "Sit in the back, there," said Jack. The men obeyed. "Now," said Jack, "I'll tell you where we stand. Water is scarce and there is no food. We shall have to make for shore immediately. I'm in command of this boat and you will have to obey me. Get out the oars and row as I tell you." The Germans grumbled a bit but they obeyed. "No time to waste," said Jack, briefly. "We'll head south." He gave the necessary directions and the boat moved off. "Help!" came a sudden cry from the water. Jack looked in the direction of this sound. A single head came toward them, swimming weakly. "Ship your oars, men," said Jack. There came a grumble from one of the Germans. "There is no more room," he declared. "No," agreed a second. "There is not enough water now. Why should we let another man in the boat?" "Stop that!" said Jack, sharply. "Cease rowing!" The men made no move to obey. Jack stood up in the boat and stepped forward. "Did you hear me?" he said quietly, though it was plain to Frank that he was very angry. "Cease rowing!" "But----" began the nearest German. Jack wasted no further time in words. His left arm shot out and he grasped the nearest German by the coat. Raising him quickly to his feet, he struck him heavily with his right fist and then released his hold. The man dropped to the bottom of the boat and lay still. "Any more?" asked Jack. "Cease rowing!" The remaining three Germans shipped their oars without a word, although each bestowed an evil glance upon the lad. Frank, catching the look in their eyes, muttered to himself: "They'll bear watching." "Harris," said Jack. "That man in the water is the one who would have saved us a short time ago. He seems to be weak. Slip over the side and lend him a hand, will you?" Harris did so without question and a moment or two later the German tumbled into the boat, where he lay panting, blood streaming from an open wound in his forehead. Harris climbed back in the boat. "Bandage him up as well as you can and give him a few drops of that water," said Jack. For his part, Jack stooped over the German soldier he had so recently knocked unconscious and raised him to a sitting posture. Reaching over the side of the boat the lad wet his handkerchief and applied it to the German's head. Soon the man recovered consciousness. "A drop of water here, too," said Jack, quietly. "Say," said Harris. "This water is precious scarce. We'll need it ourselves." "But this man must have a little," said Jack. "Pass it along." Harris did not protest further and Jack allowed the German soldier to moisten his tongue. "Now get back to your oars," the lad commanded.