Scotty's elbow dug into Rick's back. "They're coming," he said tensely. Dark figures hurtled at the three. A flying body slammed into Rick, smashing him to the deck. He lost his stick, but struck out with his fists. He heard Zircon roar like a wounded bull. Rick fought valiantly. Two men were on him, struggling to tie him with lengths of rope. Once he felt the rope pulled across his cheek, leaving a burning sensation. He sensed rather than heard the crashing and shouting around him. Then he wriggled out from under his assailants and staggered to his feet. Instantly one of the men was upon him again. "Fall flat!" Zircon bellowed. Rick did so, on the instant. There was the sound as of a baseball bat smacking a steer and for an instant the deck was miraculously clear. Zircon had found a piece of two-by-four lumber about eight feet long, and he was swinging it like a flail. The accented voice called, "Drop it or we shoot!" A figure swung upright next to Rick and threw something. There was a grunt and a crash as the man who had called went down. "Got him," Scotty said with satisfaction. A voice rattled orders in Cantonese. The polers from the stern advanced, their long poles held out like lances. Zircon was their target. Scotty whispered, "Let 'em get close. You take the left and I'll take the right. Go under the poles." For a heartbeat there was quiet. Rick divined the strategy. The polemen would lunge at Zircon, then the rest would leap. He didn't know how many there were of the enemy. He thought there must be at least seven. He flattened out, eyes on the left poleman, ready to spring. The poles came nearer, one was over him. "Now," Scotty hissed. Rick went forward, scrambling, legs driving. It was football, but easier. His shoulder caught the poleman in the stomach, and he lifted. The man went flying. Next to him he heard a dull thud, then he saw Scotty stand up, looming large in the darkness. But the rest of the crew had charged. For a moment Zircon's lumber wreaked havoc, then he struck a part of the junk and the two-by-four splintered. He let out a yell of rage and flung himself on the nearest man, lifted him bodily and threw him at the others. Yellow light pierced the darkness from the direction of the shore. A voice screamed, "Yanks! Over the side! Swim here!" "Get going," Zircon howled. "I'll cover you!" Rick took heart. He ran to the side and jumped feet first. Scotty came within a hair of landing on top of him. From overhead came cries of rage, then another bellow from Zircon. In the next instant the scientist plunged into the water with them. "Swim for it," he commanded. He rose high out of the water and yelled, "Out with those lights!" The automobile lights that had illumined the scene blinked out. The voice called back, "Hurry! The junk is putting about!"