He was soon at the side of the _Alice_.

He heard a blow sound out.

Ritter was using the ax, apparently in an endeavor to chop a hole in the bottom of the sloop! "Of all the mean things!" muttered Pepper to himself.

"I'll soon stop that!" And he made a leap over the guard-rail of the craft.

The ax was raised for another blow, but before it could be delivered, Pepper caught the bully by the shoulders and sent him sprawling on his back..