The ready club in the hands of Bart Hodge tumbled the dog over with a howl, and Merry and the big fisherman began to struggle in the growing darkness for the mastery.
To and fro on the deck they reeled.

The dog leaped up again and tried to come to the assistance of its master, but turned upon Hodge when he struck at it again with the maul.

Its eyes seemed balls of green fire in the gloom, and the hoarse growl that came from deep down in its throat was anything but pleasant to hear.
But Bart Hodge met its onset with a stout heart, raining his blows with such swiftness and precision that it dropped to the deck.

Then he hurried to the assistance of Merriwell.

But Frank was already the victor.