But he was yet several yards from this point when a black figure, crouching close to the deck, issued from among the men, a little in the rear of the party, and made a dash towards the ring. It was the Pole, Rovinski, who had been standing quivering with excitement, waiting for this supreme moment. But almost at the same instant there sprang from the side of Mr. Gibbs another figure, with a face livid with agitation. This was Mr. Marcy, who had noticed the foreigner's excitement and had been watching him. Like a stone from a catapult, Mr. Marcy rushed towards Rovinski, taking a course diagonal to that of the latter, and, striking him with tremendous force just before he reached the ring, he threw him against the rail with such violence that the momentum given to his head and body carried them completely over it, and his legs following, the man went headlong into the sea. Instantly there was a shout of horror. Sarah Block screamed violently, and her husband exclaimed: “That infernal Pole! He has gone down to the pole, and I hope he may stay there!” “What does all this mean, Mr. Marcy?” roared Captain Hubbell; “and why did you throw him overboard?” “Never mind now,” cried Sammy, his voice rising above the confusion. “I will tell you all about it. I see what he was up to. He wanted to take possession of the pole in his own beastly name, most likely.” “I don't understand a word of all this,” exclaimed Mr. Gibbs. “But there is the man; he has risen to the surface.” “Shall we let him sink,” cried Sammy, “or haul him aboard?” “Let the man sink!” yelled Captain Hubbell. “What do you mean, sir?” “Well, I suppose it wouldn't do,” said Sammy, “and we must get him aboard.” Captain Hubbell roared out orders to throw out life-preservers and lower a boat; but, remembering that he was not on board a vessel of the olden times, he changed the order and commanded that a patent boat-hook be used upon the man in the water. The end of this boat-hook, which could be shot out like a fishing-rod, was hooked into Rovinski's clothes, and he was pulled to the vessel. Then a rope was lowered, and he was hauled on board, shivering and shaking. “Take him below and put him in irons,” cried Sammy. “Mr. Block,” said Captain Hubbell, “I want you to understand that I am skipper of this vessel, and that I am to give orders. I don't know anything about this man; but do you want him put in irons?” “I do,” said Sammy, “for the present.” “Take that man below and put him in irons!” roared Captain Hubbell. “And give him some dry clothes,” added Sarah Block. When the confusion consequent upon the incident had subsided there was a general desire not to delay for a moment the actual act of taking legal possession of the pole they had discovered.