"Be quiet, Baxter," said Dick, softly but firmly. "Don't you dare to make another sound."
"I—I thought you were—were—asleep," faltered the former bully ofPutnam Hall. "That you—"
"That he had drank the poisoned water, eh?"
"Ye—es."
"We did not. We took your advice and left it alone."
"Then when they brought you up out of the engine room—"
"We were shamming, that's all. But I haven't got time to explain everything, Baxter. Where are the others?"
"On deck, or down in the engine room, I guess—all but the two beasts in there," and Baxter pointed to the overcome sailors.
"What brought you in here? Were you going to sleep?"
"Sleep! I—I couldn't sleep, Dick; honestly I couldn't!"
"Why?"
"Because I—I—But what's the use, you won't believe me." And DanBaxter hung his head for a moment.
"Maybe I will. Tell me why."
"I came away from them because I was sick of their doings, that's why. I—I am sick of all of it,—sick in body and in mind, too."
"You didn't want to see us doped, as they call it?"
"No! no!"
"And that is why you warned us and gave us that good water?"
"Yes."
"Dan, you're a little bit more of a real man than I thought you were.I thought you were willing to do anything against me and my brothers."
"Well, I was once, but now—But what's the use of talking, you won't believe me. And why should you? I've been against you ever since we first met."
"That's the straight truth, Dan, and you've done some pretty mean and desperate things."
"I don't know why I did them, Dick—honestly I don't. Lots of times I knew you and your brothers were right and I was wrong. But the Old Nick got in me and I—well, you know how I acted. Now I'm an outcast—nobody decent wants to have anything to do with me. Even my own father—" Dan Baxter stopped short.
"See here, Dan, I haven't time to talk now," said Dick, after a short and painful pause. "I didn't expect this of you. The whole question just now is this, Are you going to fight or keep quiet?"
"Are you going to fight those others?"
"Yes, if it becomes necessary."
"I don't want to fight any more."
"Then will you keep quiet?"
"I will. But, Dick—"
"Well?"
"If you capture those men, are you going to hand them over to the police?"
"Certainly."
"And hand me over, too?" And again Dan Baxter hung his head.
"Don't you deserve it?"
"I suppose so. And still I—er—I thought you might give me another chance. Oh, that's what I want, another chance! You know how my father has reformed. I want to reform, too. I want to go away somewhere and begin all over again."
"Dan, come with me."
"Where to?"
"To the others. You can talk with them while I take a look on deck."
The former bully of Putnam Hall demurred but Dick insisted, and soon the pair had joined Sam, Tom, and Hans.
"Talk to him," said Dick. "I'll be back soon," and then he left and made his way up the companionway to the deck of the steam yacht.
His heart was in a strange tumult. That Dan Baxter should want to reform was a surprise of which he had never dreamed. Could the former bully be playing a part?
"He's sly enough," he reasoned. "And yet his eyes had a look in them that I never saw before. He looked like a worried wild animal, that doesn't know how to turn or what to do. He's down here all alone among strangers, and evidently he has found out that Sack Todd and the rest aren't his sort. Well, if he wants to reform I shan't put anything in his way. But I am not going to give him too much rope—just yet."
Having gained the deck of the vessel, Dick looked around cautiously. It was a dark night, the stars being hidden by clouds. He crept along slowly.
"Well, you'll have to give me a pointer or two about the engine,"Dick heard Sack Todd exclaim. "I thought I knew how to run it, butI reckon I was mistaken."
"Oh, why not let that go just now," growled the mate of theDogstarin return. "We've got to make sure of those boys first, and get some sleep, too."
"It won't take but a few minutes to explain about the engine," saidGasper Pold. "I ran one once for six weeks."
"Seems to me you have dabbled in a little bit of everything," observedSack Todd.
"So I have."
The three men were near the pilot house, but came away and started for the hatchway leading down into the engine room. They had to pass close to where Dick was crouching and the eldest Rover hardly dared to breathe, so fearful was he of discovery.
Presently Dick saw the three men go down the iron ladder, one after another. As they did this, a sudden idea came into his head.
"I'll do it!" he told himself, and sneaked forward with the silence and quickness of a cat.
The hatch still lay beside the opening, with the hooks that had been used to fasten it down. It was heavy and Dick wondered if he could move and fasten it quick enough.
"I wish Sam or Tom was here to help me," he thought.
As he started to raise the hatch a sudden puff of wind made the mast creak loudly. This alarmed the men below and Sack Todd started up the ladder.
"We ought to have somebody on guard," he said, so loudly that Dick heard him. "I don't trust that Baxter very much."
"All right," answered Gasper Pold. "You go to the cabin, and—"
He broke off short as a cry came from Sack Todd. The ex-counterfeiter had caught sight of Dick as the latter was raising the hatch to drop it in place.
"Hi!" yelled Sack Todd, and then let out a scream as the hatch hit him on the head.
"Down you go!" answered Dick and leaped on top of the hatch to force it into place. One of Sack Todd's fingers was caught and pinched and he let out another yell. But he kept his footing on the iron ladder and thus held the hatch up several inches.
"What's up?" came from Sid Jeffers.
"They are trying to shut the hatch! Help me!"
"What!" roared Gasper Pold, and sprang up beside the ex-counterfeiter.
"Tom! Sam! Hans!" yelled Dick, at the top of his lungs. "Help! Quick!"
He continued to call out and at the same time did all in his power to force the hatch into place. He was sprawled on top, and no sooner did he get one end down than the other bobbed up. Then he heard Gasper Pold cry out:
"Look out! I am going to fire!"
"Don't hit me," cautioned Sack Todd.
"If you fire, so will I," answered Dick, "and you'll get the worst of it."
"Hang the luck! We didn't disarm them!" muttered Pold.
By this time Tom was coming up on deck, followed by Sam. Hans was told to remain behind, to keep his eyes on Dan Baxter.
As soon as Sam and Tom saw the situation they leaped to Dick's assistance. Tom saw Sack Todd's shoulder under the hatch and gave it a vigorous kick. This caused the man to lose his balance on the iron ladder and he went down a step. At the same time Gasper Pold fired.
"Oh, I am hit!" groaned the ex-counterfeiter, and fell in a heap on the head of Sid Jeffers. Then the hatch came into place with a thud and in a twinkling the three Rovers secured it.
"We have them! We have them!" cried Sam, in delight. "Good for you,Dick! That was a clever move."
"Run down and make certain that other door is fast," said Dick, and away went Sam with Tom at his heels. They came back in less than two minutes.
"It's fast," said Tom. "We've got them in as tight a box as they had us."
The three Rover boys could scarcely believe their senses. Here they were once more in full possession of theMermaidso far as the deck and cabin were concerned—and those who had sought to make them prisoners were prisoners themselves.
"This is where the biter got bit," remarked Tom. "Say, I feel so goodI could almost dance."
"Sack Todd got shot," said Dick. "I'd like to know if it is serious."
"Well, I am not very sorry for him," said Sam. "He's a thoroughly bad egg."
"We want to make certain of Dan Baxter," went on the eldest Rover."He may fool Hans."
They walked toward the cabin and ran down the companionway. At the lower doorway they paused and then Tom grinned.
On one side of the room was Dan Baxter with his hands in the air. On the other side was Hans, with a pistol in each hand.
"Ton't dare to mofe," Hans was saying. "Of you do I vos put oxactly fourteen shots into your poty, ain't it!"
"I am not moving," grumbled Baxter. "Didn't I tell you I am sick of the whole thing, Dutchy? I don't want to fight, or anything."
"Tan Paxter, you chust remember dot old saying, beoples vot lif in glass houses ton't got no right to tell fish stories," answered Hans, gravely.
"Hans, that's a good one!" roared Tom, coming forward. "Say, you're a whole regiment in yourself, ain't you?"
"Yah, I vos so goot like ten or sefenteen soljers, alretty!" answered the German youth, proudly. "Paxter, he ton't got avay from me, not much!"
Hans lowered his pistols and Dan Baxter was glad enough to put down his hands. Dick glanced into the staterooms and saw that the two sailors were still sleeping heavily.
"We'll throw them down into the hold," said the eldest Rover. "That will keep them out of mischief, when they awake."
"Vot apout dem men?" asked Hans, anxiously.
"All prisoners," answered Sam.
"Prisoners!" ejaculated Dan Baxter.
"Yes, Dan, they are prisoners, down in the engine room," answeredDick. "We've given them the same dose they gave us."
"Then you are in possession once more?"
"Yes—as far as it goes. And I want to talk to you as soon as we've disposed of these sailors," added Dick.
"Shall I help you carry them out?"
"Do you want to?"
"If you wish it."
"Mind you, I don't want any trick played, Dan."
"I won't play any trick, Dick—I give you my word."
"This is a serious situation and we don't propose to take any more chances. We are on top and we mean to stay on top," added the eldest Rover.
While Hans held a lantern, the three Rovers and Dan Baxter carried the two sailors through the cabin and out on the deck. Tom was working with the former bully of Putnam Hall and declared afterward that he never felt so queer in his life. But Baxter worked with a will and did his full share of lifting.
The hatch to the hold was not far off and the men were put down without great trouble. Then the hatch was closed and fastened.
"Now, Dan, you are the only enemy we have who is at liberty," said Dick, turning to the big youth. "I want to know exactly what you propose to do."
"What I do will depend a good deal on what you do," was the somewhat low answer. "I know I am in your power. But I'd like you to remember one thing—about how I warned you not to drink the drugged water and how I brought you some good water."
"I am not going to forget that."
"That's a point to your credit, Dan," said Sam.
"If it hadn't been for that I—er—I don't know where you'd be now.As I said before, I've been pretty bad—but not quite as bad as that."
"Do you think we ought to let you go for what you did for us?" askedTom, who never wanted to beat about the bush.
"I don't know as you ought to do that—but I'd like you to do it. I'd like to have the chance to go away—far away—and strike out fresh. My father wants me to do it—he's written me three letters about it. He wants me to go to the Hawaiian Islands, or the Philippines, or to Australia. He says—but I don't suppose you are interested in what he writes."
"I am," answered Dick, promptly.
"He spoke of what you did for him and he says I—well, I ought to be ashamed to keep up the old enmity after what happened—after you saved his life. I—er—I guess he's right—and I am sick of it all."
"Well, I hope you stay sick of it—I mean sick of doing wrong," said Sam.
"Maybe I will—I don't know and I am not going to promise. But I am sick enough of being here, among such rough men as Sack Todd and Gasper Pold and that crowd of counterfeiters that was captured. I haven't had any real comfort for months."
"I don't believe a criminal ever feels real comfortable," said Tom. "How can he, when he knows the officers of the law are constantly after him?"
"There is something in that. When I go to bed I generally dream of being caught and dragged to prison. And those men always wanted me to drink, and I don't care much for liquor."
"Then cut it out—cut it out by all means," said Dick. "You can't do better."
"And there is another thing," went on Dan Baxter. "I don't feel well—everything I eat lately goes against me, and sometimes I'm in a regular fever. I ought to rest somewhere, I suppose, and have a good doctor attend me. But I can't do anything to make me feel better chasing around like this."
After that Dan Baxter told a good deal more about himself—how he had been knocking around in all sorts of questionable places and how the dissipation had grown very distasteful to him. It had certainly ruined his health, and his eyes had a hollow, feverish look in them that made his appearance rather pitiable.
"You are certainly run down," said Dick, "and unless you take extra good care of yourself you'll be flat on your back with some serious illness. But the question still is, Dan, What are we to do with you?"
"I know what I'd like you to do."
"What?"
"Let me land somewhere where I am not known, so that the officers of the law can't get hold of me. Do that, and I'll promise to go far away and never trouble you again."
"I don't think that would be right," said Tom. "We might be willing, but we can't assist a criminal to escape—that's a crime in itself."
"Then you won't let me go?"
"Tom is right, we can't do it, legally. Personally I'd be willing to let you go," said Dick.
"So would I—if you really wanted to do better," came from Sam.
"Yah, I ton't stand in nopody's vay," added Hans. "I vos glad to see a man make a goot poy of himselluf!"
There was an awkward pause. Twice Dan Baxter started to speak and checked himself. They almost looked for one of his former wild outbreaks, but it did not come. He hung his head low.
"All right—have your way," he whispered, hoarsely, and dropped into a chair. "I am done fighting. I'll take my medicine, no matter how bitter it is."
"Perhaps we can make matters a little easy for you," said Dick, in a gentle tone. "I am sure none of us want to see you suffer—if you want to reform."
"Of course we'll be easy," said Sam, and Tom and Hans nodded.
"Well, if you'll do—What's that?"
Dan Baxter broke off short and all in the cabin listened. There was a thud and a crash, followed by another crash.
"They are trying to break out of the engine room!" yelled Dick. "Come, we must stop them!" And he started for the deck, and all of the crowd went after him.
The news that the men were trying to break out of the engine room was true. Gasper Pold and Sid Jeffers had gotten a long piece of iron pipe and with this they were hammering at the hatch. One of the fastenings was already off and the others much weakened.
"Stop!" cried Dick, rushing up. "Stop, or we'll open fire on you!"
"We are bound to get out and you can't stop us!" yelled back Gasper Pold, and started to mount the iron ladder with a long wrench. This instrument he placed under a corner of the hatch and began to pry the wooden barrier upward.
"Not so fast!" sang out Tom, and rushing up he sprawled over the hatch and caught the end of the wrench. "One good wrench deserves another!" he muttered, his love of fun coming to the surface even in such a pitch of excitement, and with that he gave the wrench a wrench that brought it from Pold's grip and allowed the hatch to fall into place.
"All aboard!" sang out Tom, and Dick, Sam, and Hans leaped on top of the hatch. "Nothing like holding 'em down!"
"Let us up!" roared Sid Jeffers, and a moment later a pistol shot rang out and a bullet came crashing through the hatch, but its force was so spent it merely bounced against Han's trouser leg.
"I vos hit! I vos hit!" shrieked the German youth, dancing around."I vos a teat boy alretty!"
"Hans, are you really hit?" asked Dick, in alarm.
"Yah, but—I guess it ton't vos much," added Hans sheepishly, as he realized that no damage had been done.
"Here, hold it down with this," cried Dan Baxter and came forward with two capstan bars. These were placed across the hatch and the four boys took their stations at the ends of the bars. Thus they managed to get out of firing range of those below.
"This is certainly growing interesting," was Dick's comment, as there was a moment's suspension of hostilities. "I hardly know what to do next."
"If you don't let us up we'll blow up the ship!" yelled Gasper Pold.He was in a terrible fury.
"If you blow up the ship, you'll go up with her," answered Sam.
"Gracious, vill da do dot?" asked Hans, in alarm.
"No, they'll not be so foolish," answered Tom. "They value their worthless hides too much."
"You've nearly killed Sack Todd and we'll have you arrested for it," went on Gasper Pold.
"You'll be nearly killed if you don't look out," answered Dick. "We are in possession and we mean to keep in possession."
"You can't run the boat without the engine."
"Yes, we can, for the sails are ready for use. We won't have to run, though. By morning we expect to sight some other vessel and then we'll get help."
"What have you done with those two sailors?" asked Sid Jeffers.
"Put them where they can't do any harm."
"Where is Baxter?" asked Pold.
"That is for you to find out."
"I am here," said the former bully of Putnam Hall.
"Helping that crowd?"
"Yes. I don't want anything more to do with you, or with Sack Todd either."
"The young skunk!" muttered the mate of theDogstar. "I told youI didn't like his looks."
"Say, Dick Rover, let us talk this matter over," said Gasper Pold, calming down a little. "If you'll be reasonable I am sure we can come to terms that will be satisfactory all around."
"I don't think so."
"This craft is worth a lot of money, so the mate of theDogstarsays, and there is no reason why all of us shouldn't make a neat pile out of her."
"Do you want us to go in partnership with you?" asked Tom, in disgust.
"That's it, and if you will, we'll say nothing about your hurtingSack Todd."
"Is he bad?" asked Sam.
"He is bad enough. We want to get out so that he can have proper attention and medicine."
"Better give him some of that doctored water," suggested Tom, grimly.
"Don't get fresh, young man!"
"I think you are the one who is fresh!" retorted Tom. "Do you think we are going to train with such fellows as you? Not much!"
"Then you won't make terms?"
"No," came from the three Rovers.
At this the men at the foot of the iron ladder muttered something that our friends could not catch. The rascals were furious and wanted to do some more shooting, but did not dare, fearing shots in return.
"Will you let Sack Todd have some water?" asked Pold, presently.
"There is good water in the bucket," answered Dick.
"That's gone."
"Then you'll have to wait until later for more."
"Todd has got to have water."
At this announcement the boys looked questioningly at each other.
"It may be true," said Dick. "I shouldn't want the man to die just because we had refused him water."
"It may be a trick, just to get the hatch open again," put in Dan Baxter. "If I were you I wouldn't trust them. I know that crowd better than you do."
"You can have water in the morning," called down Dick. "In the meantime you keep quiet and do what you can for Todd. If you don't keep quiet you'll get the worst of it."
"Wait till I get my hands on you!" came in the hoarse voice of SackTodd. "I'll pulverize you!"
"He's a long way from being dead, by his voice," said Dick. "I reckon he was playing off on us." And this was largely true. Sack Todd's wound was painful but by no means serious.
It must be confessed that the boys hardly knew how to proceed. But presently Dick remembered where he had seen some hooks and nails and he sent Dan Baxter for these. When they were brought he calmly proceeded to fasten the extra hooks to the hatch and then hook them fast to the deck.
"What are you doing now?" yelled Gasper Pold, and when he was told he muttered things I do not care to mention on these pages.
"Now, Sam and Tom, you remain on guard here, while the rest of us go and secure that door below," said Dick.
"It is secure," said Tom.
"Yes, I know, but some extra cross bars won't do any harm."
"Want me to help?" asked Baxter.
"You can come along," said Dick, not altogether willing to leave the former bully out of sight.
He hurried to the door in question, one leading from the back of the engine room into something of a storeroom. The door was fastened by two ordinary bolts.
"I'll soon fix that!" said the eldest Rover. "Dan, you hold the lantern. Hans, bring that piece of board here."
The board was brought, and Dick began to nail it fast, directly over the door. He had still another nail to drive when there came an unexpected crash on the other side.
"All together!" yelled the voice of Gasper Pold. "Now then, with a will!"
Another mighty crash followed and then a third. With this the door flew from its hinges, and over it came, hurling Hans flat on his back. Then Dick found himself confronted by Pold, Jeffers, and Sack Todd, each with a weapon ready for use.
"We've got him! Down with him!" roared Sack Todd, as he leaped over the fallen door and made a grab for Dick.
For the instant Dick did not know what to do, then he stepped backward and at the same time attempted to draw his pistol.
"No, you don't!" yelled Gasper Pold, and aimed a blow at Dick's head with an iron bar he carried.
Had the blow landed as intended, the eldest Rover might have had his skull crushed in. But as the iron bar was descending Dan Baxter made a quick jump to Pold's side, gave him a shove and hurled him flat.
"Stop it!" cried the former bully of Putnam Hall. "Do you hear? Do you want to kill somebody?"
"So you're against us, eh?" yelled Sack Todd. "Well, we'll fix you!"
He tore a pistol from his pocket and started to aim it at Baxter. But the latter was now on the alert and, whirling around, he caught Sack Todd by the coat collar with one hand and with the other raised the pistol up into the air. It went off, but the bullet merely plowed its way into the woodwork of the ship.
By this time Hans had managed to scramble from beneath the fallen door. The German youth had not been hurt very much but his "Dutch blood" was up, and throwing prudence to the wind he sailed in vigorously, hitting Pold a blow in the stomach with his fist, and kicking the mate of theDogstarin the shin with his heavy shoe. Then he caught hold of Pold's iron bar and began to wrestle for its possession.
"You dink I vos noddings put a poy, hey!" he snorted. "I show you, ain't it! You pig loafer!" And he ran Pold up against a partition and got the iron bar directly under the rascal's throat so that the fellow was in danger of strangling.
Sid Jeffers had now turned his attention to Dick, and blows were given and taken freely between the pair. The noise made was considerable, and this finally reached the ears of Sam and Tom.
"Something is wrong!" cried Tom. "I'll go and see. If you want me back whistle as loudly as you can." And he was off like a shot.
The sight that met Tom's gaze at first almost stupefied him. He came upon Sack Todd and Dan Baxter fighting hand to hand in a passageway leading to the deck. Sack Todd had fired one shot which had grazed Dan's left cheek. But now the youth had the man against the wall and was banging his head against it again and again.
"You will shoot me, eh?" cried Baxter. "You're a villain if ever there was one, Sack Todd. I am bad enough but I'm not as dirty and black as you. Take that, and that, and that!"
"Hi! let up! You'll smash my head!" roared the ex-counterfeiter, but Dan Baxter paid no attention until one blow caused Sack Todd to lose consciousness and sink down in a heap.
Tom had already passed on and was in time to aid Dick. Coming up to the side of Sid Jeffers he hit the mate of theDogstara stinging blow in the ear and then another in the chin. Dick at the same time struck the rascal in the eye, and Jeffers staggered back, tripped over the fallen door, and landed heavily on the floor. At once Tom sat down on him, pulling out his pistol as he did so.
"Now keep quiet or something worse will happen," he said, and the mate of theDogstarunderstood and subsided.
With the fall of Sack Todd, Dan Baxter turned back to aid the others.He saw Sid Jeffers go down and then ran toward Hans.
"You might as well give up," he said to Gasper Pold. "They've got the best of your crowd."
"Yes, and you helped them," said Pold, sullenly. "Just wait. I'll fix you for this!"
The noise continuing, Sam had left his post and arrived on the scene. He ran off for a rope and with this Sack Todd was bound hands and feet. Seeing this, Gasper Pold and the mate of theDogstarretreated again into the engine room.
"Put up that door!" cried Dick, and without delay it was raised and put in place and then fastened in such a manner that it was next to impossible to budge it. Then they ran on deck and fastened down the hatch. After that they gave Todd their attention.
When he came to his senses the ex-counterfeiter raved wildly and demanded that he be set free. He was particularly bitter against Dan Baxter.
"I'll fix you," he said. "Wait till we get into court. I'll have a fine story to tell about you." To this Baxter did not reply although he turned very pale.
Seeing they could do little with Sack Todd, the Rovers decided to put him down in the hold with the sailors and this was done. Then the party with Baxter gathered on deck to discuss the situation.
"Talk about a strenuous night," exclaimed Tom. "I don't think it could be more strenuous than it has been."
"Dan, I want to say right now that you have helped us a great deal," said Dick, turning to the big youth. "But for you we might have lost that battle."
"Dot is so," said Hans. "You vos tone splendidly alretty!"
With two of the enemy in possession of the engine room, it was of course impossible to run the machinery of the steam yacht, and this being so our friends decided to wait until daylight before attempting to make another move.
"It is after three o'clock," said Dick. "We may as well get what rest we can. We can take turns at remaining on guard," and so it was decided. But it must be said that nobody got much sleep, so great was the general excitement.
While he was on guard Dick had a long private talk with Dan Baxter, and for once the former bully of Putnam Hall opened his heart completely. He had been knocking around "from pillar to post" so long that he was utterly discouraged and scarcely cared what happened. Since his father had reformed, and he had lost the companionship of Lew Flapp, he had been traveling among strangers and not a one of them had proved worth knowing, as he expressed it.
"I was a great big fool that I didn't turn over a new leaf when my father did," he said. "I had a chance then to do something for myself. Now I am so deep in the mud I don't know how I'll ever get out."
"I am certainly sorry for you, Dan—especially after what you did for our crowd to-night. If you really want to turn over a new leaf I am willing to help you all I can. But you know how the law stands—we can't let you go after what has happened in the past. If you come up for trial, though, I'll be as easy as I can on you, and I know the others will be easy, too. Perhaps, as you are young, you'll get off with a light sentence, and then you'll have a chance to reform after that."
At this Dan Baxter hung his head.
"It's a terrible disgrace—to go to prison," he answered, in a low tone. "But my father had to go through it, and I guess I am worse than he is." He heaved a deep sigh. "Well, I'll try to stand it."
"If it gets as far as that, when you come out, Dan, you come straight to me and I'll help you."
"Will you do that, Dick?" asked the former bully, eagerly, and for the instant his face brightened.
"I will, and there is my hand on it," and then the two who had been enemies for so many years shook hands. After that Dan Baxter continued to talk about himself. He seemed anxious to unburden his heart, and Dick allowed him to proceed and listened with interest to the recital.
As soon as it was daylight the Rovers, Hans, and Baxter went on deck to decide upon the all-important question of what to do next. Dick had inspected the sails and found them in trim for use, and presently they set sail and once more the steam yacht was headed for Tampa Bay. There was a stiff breeze blowing, and although the craft made no such speed as when under steam she went along right well, and they were all content.
About the middle of the forenoon they heard a thumping on the hatch over the engine room. Pold and Jeffers wanted something to eat and to drink, and wanted to make terms, but they told the rascals they would have to wait until land or some vessel was sighted. They also got a call from Sack Todd and the sailors who had revived from their stupor, but decided to let these fellows wait also.
"The sailors have done us no harm," said Dick. "But a waiting spell will do them good, after such a beastly spree."
It was one o'clock, and Hans was preparing dinner for all on deck when Tom gave a cry.
"A small steamer is approaching!" he said. "Hadn't we better signal her?"
"By all means," answered Dick. "Let us steer directly for her, too."And this was done.
The vessel approaching proved to be nothing more than a regular gulf tug, carrying eight people. As it came closer Sam, who had a spy-glass, gave a shout:
"What do you think! There are Fred and Songbird, and yes, there isHarold Bird, too! Oh, how glad I am that they are safe!"
The report was true, the tug contained Fred, Songbird, and Harold Bird, and as soon as these three made out who were on board of theMermaidthey set up a cheer. Then the sails on the steam yacht were lowered and the tug came alongside. In a minute more Fred was scrambling on deck, followed by the others.
"Alive! All of you!" cried Fred. "Oh, this is the best news yet!"
"And we are glad to see you alive too," cried Tom. "We were afraid theMascottehad been lost."
"Well, we came close to it," said Songbird. "And when we got in to port some of the passengers had the captain arrested for ill treatment. But we didn't wait for that. We were wild to know what had become of you, and so we chartered this tug and began a hunt. You were lucky to be picked up by such a nice craft as this."
"We weren't picked up,—we picked ourselves up," answered Dick.
"Why, what do you mean?" asked Harold Bird, in puzzled tones.
"We found this steam yacht on the water deserted—not a soul on board."
"You don't mean it!" ejaculated Fred. "What's her name?"
"TheMermaid."
"Creation!" shouted Harold Bird. "Why, that's the steam yacht was advertised in all the newspapers some weeks ago. She was missing, and the club that owns her offered a reward of five thousand dollars for information leading to her return."
"Well, we picked her up as a derelict," said Tom. "And we'll claim salvage accordingly. But how did she disappear?"
"It's a long story. She was left in charge of an old man, and he went off and got intoxicated. Then a storm came up and they found the old man in a rowboat and the steam yacht missing. She must have blown and drifted far away on the gulf. But it's queer she wasn't sighted before."
"Maybe she was, but nobody thought she was deserted," said Sam, and his idea was probably true.
Thus far Dan Baxter had kept in the background. When he came forward there was more astonishment, and our friends had to tell about the arrival of Sack Todd and the others, and of what had been done since.
"I want you to understand that Dan helped us a great deal," said Dick, to Fred and Songbird. "He isn't the fellow he was. He has changed so you would hardly know he was the same person. I think he is really on the right track at last."
"It seems too wonderful to be true," was Fred's comment.
Dan Baxter was much interested in meeting Harold Bird, and while the others were talking in one part of the deck he called the young Southerner to one side.
"Mr. Bird, you know who I am, and I suppose you have no use for me," began the former bully. "I am sorry I went in with those men who stole your gasoline launch. If I had my choice again I shouldn't do such a thing. I am very sorry, and I am glad you got your boat back. But I want to speak to you about something else. I was going to write you a letter when I got the chance, but I'd rather tell you what I know."
"What you know?" repeated Harold Bird, somewhat puzzled.
"Yes. Since I have been traveling with Gasper Pold and Sack Todd I have learned a great deal, and much of it concerns yourself and your father."
"My father!" gasped the young Southerner.
"Yes."
"What do you know of him? Is he alive?"
"I think he is—at least Gasper Pold said he was."
"Pold! What does he know about it? Where is my father?"
"As near as I know, your father is in Mexico, at a place called Troxapocca. He is somewhat out of his mind, and Pold told Sack Todd he was working around a hotel there, doing all sorts of odd jobs. He goes by the name of Bangs—why, I don't know."
"Is it possible! I must look into this without delay."
"And then there is something else I want to tell you. I heard Todd and Pold talking about it when they thought they were alone. Todd accused Pold of having killed an old man, a hunter, in the woods, because the old hunter had vowed to expose one of Pold's lottery swindles. It came out in the talk that Pold had really done the deed and had put the dead hunter on a rock, where he was shot at by your father. Your father didn't hit the body, but he thought he did, and thinking he had killed this old man was what made your father crazy."
"I know it! I know it!" cried Harold Bird. "What a vile deed to do!And did Pold admit his guilt?"
"He did, but he warned Sack Todd to keep quiet about it. That was one of the things that turned me against that gang. They were altogether too bad for me. From that moment on I was sorry I had gone in with them."
"This fairly staggers me, Baxter. You—you must help me prove this—after I have found my father, or before."
"I will, Mr. Bird—I'll do all I can to make things right again," answered Dan Baxter, earnestly.
When the others heard of Dan Baxter's revelation they were almost as much astonished as Harold Bird. They were glad to learn that there was now a likelihood of clearing the young Southerner's father of the crime of which he had been accused, and all trusted he would soon be able to locate Mr. Bird and nurse him back to mental and physical health.
Those on the tug were called on board and then Sack Todd was allowed to come on deck, followered by the two sailors. All were made prisoners. Then Gasper Pold and Sid Jeffers came up and were handcuffed.
Gasper Pold was amazed to find himself confronted by Harold Bird, and when accused of the shooting of the old hunter broke down utterly. He thought Sack Todd had exposed him, and a bitter war of words between the pair followed.
"You have done me a splendid service, Baxter," said the youngSoutherner, after the excitement was over. "I shall not forget you.When the proper time comes, if you need legal aid, I'll see to itthat you have a first-class lawyer."
"Thank you," answered the former bully, humbly. "I only did my duty, which I should have done long ago."
It was found that theMermaidbelonged to persons living at Mobile, and accordingly the steam yacht and the tug were headed for that port. The run did not take more than twenty-four hours and when theMermaidappeared she created considerable excitement. One of the owners, James Morrison, soon came to take charge, in the name of the yacht club, and he assured Dick and the others that the club would pay anything that was fair for the return of the vessel.
"We have found one thing that bothered us," said Dick. "Perhaps you can explain it. In a locker we found a picture of Harold Bird and also a picture of his father."
"I know nothing of them. I did not know Mr. Bird at all."
"I will have Harold show you his father's photograph. Perhaps you'll recognize him."
The picture was shown and James Morrison uttered a cry of astonishment.
"I know that man, but his name was not Bird. It was Bangs. He worked on the yacht for awhile—queer sort of stick—and he left rather suddenly."
"It was Mr. Bird. He went crazy over some personal trouble, and Harold has been looking all over for him. He was last heard of in Mexico. But this clears up the mystery of the photographs," Dick added.
And now let me add a few words more and then bring to a close this tale of "The Rover Boys in Southern Waters."
As soon as they arrived at Mobile the Rover boys sent telegrams to their folks at home and also to the ladies and girls at the Bird plantation, telling of the safety of the entire party.
Sack Todd, Gasper Pold, Sid Jeffers, and the two sailors were locked up. Nobody attempted to have Dan Baxter arrested, nor did the former bully of Putnam Hall try to run away.
"I have made up my mind to take my medicine and I am going to do it," he said, almost stubbornly.
"What a change in him!" was Tom's comment. "The fellows at PutnamHall won't believe it when we tell them."
"Here is the whole thing in a nutshell," said Sam. "Dan has found out that there is absolutely no happiness or satisfaction in being dishonest. Even when he had money he didn't enjoy it—he told me so himself. He said there was many a day when he would have preferred being with the old crowd, even without a cent in his pocket."
As soon as he could Harold Bird set off for Mexico. A week later he sent Dick Rover a telegram stating that he had found his father and was taking him home. It may be added here that, cleared of the suspicion that had hung over his name, Mr. Bird speedily recovered from his insanity, and became the prosperous planter he had been in years gone by.
When Sack Todd, Gasper Pold, and Sid Jeffers were brought to trial Dan Baxter was a witness against each one. For the shooting of the old hunter Pold received a life sentence in prison, and for their various misdeeds Todd and the mate of theDogstarreceived ten and twenty years respectively. Solly Jackson was also a witness against Todd and Pold and was not prosecuted.
"What are you going to do about Dan Baxter?" asked Songbird of Dick, one day.
"I am going to do nothing," answered Dick, firmly. "If you want to prosecute him you can do so."
"He expects to be placed on trial."
"Well, he'll have to find somebody else to prosecute him."
"I shan't do anything, Dick. Why, he isn't the same chap he used to be. He's as meek as any fellow I ever met."
In the end nobody prosecuted Dan Baxter, and he was allowed to go his own way. The Rovers talked the matter over and one day they sent for the former bully and asked him how much money he had on hand.
"I've got exactly two dollars and a quarter," was the answer. "I am looking for work, but I haven't found anything yet," and Baxter's face grew red and he hung his head.
"We have made up a purse for you, Dan," said Dick, kindly. "Those folks who owned the yacht gave us ten thousand dollars for bringing her in safely. I have had a talk with our crowd, and we are going to stake you for a fresh start."
So speaking, Dick handed out a new pocketbook. But Dan Baxter put his hands behind him.
"Thank you very, very much," he said, huskily, "but I don't want you to—to give me a cent—not a cent, understand? If you want to make me a loan, well and good. But I shan't take it if it's a gift."
"Well, we'll call it a loan then," said Tom, who stood by.
"And you can pay up whenever you please," added Sam.
Dan Baxter took the pocketbook and opened it.
"Why, ifs full of bills!" he gasped.
"Yes, a thousand dollars, Dan. We want you to make a good start while you are at it," explained Dick.
The face of the former bully became a study. His eyes grew moist and his lips quivered. He had to turn away for a moment, for he could not control himself.
"You're the best fellows in the world—the very best," he murmured, presently. "A thousand dollars! And you were going to give it to me—not loan it to me! I'll never forget that, never, if I live to be a hundred. But I am not going to take all that money—it's too much of a temptation. Let me have a hundred as a loan, and that's all."
This he stuck to, and in the end the hundred dollars was counted out and Baxter placed it in his pocket.
"This will take me to Philadelphia," he said. "There I can get hold of some money that is rightfully mine, and then I'll return the loan. After that—well, after that I am going far away, to try to make a man of myself."
"We wish you luck, Dan," answered Dick, gravely.
"Indeed we do," added Sam and Tom.
There was an awkward silence. Then Dan Baxter pulled himself up, hesitated, and held out his hand.
"I don't know when we'll meet again," he said. "Good-by."
"Good-by," said each of the others and shook hands warmly.
The former bully walked to the doorway and there hesitated again.
"Please do me one favor," he said, his face growing red. "When you meet the Stanhopes and the Lanings tell them I am very sorry for what I did, and that I wouldn't do it again for the whole world. And tell Captain Putnam that, too." And then he went out, closing the door softly behind him. They listened to his footsteps, and as they died away each heaved a deep sigh.
"I am sorry for him," said Dick.
"I pity him from the bottom of my heart," came from Sam.
"And so do I," added Tom. "Poor chap, I hope he does make a man of himself." It was a long time before they saw Dan Baxter again.
What to do with the houseboat they did not know, but soon came amessage from their Uncle Randolph, stating they might sell the craft.They found a ready purchaser at a fair price, and then joined theStanhopes and the Lanings at the Bird plantation.
"Oh, how glad I am that you are safe!" cried Dora to Dick, when they met. "It seems an age since you went away."
"So it does—with so much happening," answered the eldest of theRover boys.
"Are we going home now?" asked Sam.
"We'll have to," answered Tom. "We ought to be at our studies this minute."
"Yes, because you love study so!" cried Nellie, mischievously.
Two days later found them on a river steamer that was to take them up the Mississippi as far as St. Louis, where they were to take the Limited Express for New York.
"Well, I suppose our good times and our adventures are over now," said Sam. But he was mistaken. Good times and strange adventures still awaited them, and what some of these were will be told in the next volume of this series, to be entitled "The Rover Boys on the Farm; or, Last Days at Putnam Hall."
The whole party remained in St. Louis one day. Then they sped eastward on the Limited, and the following evening found them on their way to Valley Brook farm, the Stanhopes and Lanings having decided to stop off there for at least a day or two.
"It will feel fine to get home again," said Sam, as the train rolled into the Oak Run station. "Hurrah! here we are at last!"
"And there are father, Aunt Martha, and Uncle Randolph to meet us!" exclaimed Tom.
"Hullo, everybody!" called out Dick, and tumbled out of the train, to kiss his aunt and shake hands all around. "Home again, and glad of it!"
"And we are glad to see you all!" answered his father. And then there was general rejoicing, and here we will take our leave.