CHAPTER XII
SOMETHING ABOUT FIRECRACKERS
All was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most important of all. Bahama Bill had not put in an appearance and was not expected until the evening of the Fourth of July.
"We shall have to remain over the Fourth after all," said Anderson Rover. "But I imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the city and have some fun."
It did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to accommodate all of the girls and boys. The morning was spent in and around the yacht, where Tom and some of the others amused themselves by shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. Tom had purchased some things for the Fourth the day previous and he had one package which he was careful to keep out of sight.
"I am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his brothers. "But don't tell anybody about it."
"What is it?" asked his younger brother.
"Wait and see."
It had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch, so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. Aleck was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags.
"Oh, how lovely!" cried Dora, as she came in and sat down. "I declare, Aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." And she gave the colored man a smile which pleased him immensely.
"Where is Tom?" asked Mr. Rover, after all the others were seated.
"I ton't know," answered Hans. "Tidn't he know ve vos to eat a leetle early to-tay?"
"He's coming," answered Sam.
Just then Tom came into the dining room holding something in his hand covered with a long paper bag. From under the bag smoke was curling.
"In honor of the Fourth of July!" cried the fun-loving Rover and placed the object upright in the center of the long table. Then he took off the bag with a flourish. There was revealed a big cannon cracker, fully a foot and a half high and several inches in diameter. The fuse was spluttering away at a great rate.
"Tom!" yelled Mr. Rover in alarm. "Throw that thing out!"
"We'll be blown to pieces!" yelled Fred.
"That's too big to shoot off indoors," added Songbird, preparing to run.
"Ve peen knocked to bieces!" groaned Hans, and slid under the table out of sight.
The ladies shrieked and so did the girls. Mrs. Stanhope looked ready to faint, but Tom whispered hastily into her ear and she recovered. Mr. Rover wanted to throw the cannon cracker through a window, but Tom held him back.
The long fuse continued to splutter and all watched it as if fascinated, and the girls put their hands to their ears in anticipation of a fearful explosion. Then came a tiny flash, a strange clicking, and off flew the top of the cannon cracker, sending a shower of confetti of various colors in all directions.
"Oh!" shrieked the girls, and then everybody but Hans set up a laugh. The German youth looked suspiciously out from under the table.
"Vot's der madder—did he go off?" he questioned.
"Yes, he did, Hans," answered Grace. "It was nothing but a cracker full of colored paper instead of powder."
"Is dot so?" Hans got up and looked around. "Vell, I neffer! Looks like ve got a colored snowstorm alretty, hey?" And this caused a roar. It certainly did look like a "colored snowstorm," for the confetti was everywhere, on the table, on their heads and over their clothing. Now it was over everybody was highly amused, even Mrs. Stanhope laughing heartily. As for Aleck, he roared so loudly he could be heard a block up the docks.
"Dat's jess like Massa Tom!" he cried. "I suspicioned he'd be up to somet'ing afo' de day was up. Yo' can't keep him down no mo' dan yo' kin keep a jack-rabbit from hoppin', no, sah!"
"It certainly looked like the real thing," was Mr. Rover's comment. "Had it been——"
"I'd never have brought it in here," finished Tom. "I'm sorry if I frightened anybody," he added, looking at Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs. Laning.
"We'll forgive you, Tom," answered Mrs. Stanhope, and Mrs. Laning said she would, provided he wouldn't scare them again that holiday.
After that, the confetti on the table was cleared away and they ate their lunch amid a constant cracking of jokes and bright sayings. Songbird woke up and recited some verses he said he had composed the night before, while lying awake in his berth. Some of these ran in this fashion:
"This is the day I love the best—The day the small boy knows no rest,—The day when all our banners soar,The day when all our cannons roar,The day when all are free from care,And shouts and music fill the air!"
"This is the day I love the best—The day the small boy knows no rest,—The day when all our banners soar,The day when all our cannons roar,The day when all are free from care,And shouts and music fill the air!"
"This is the day I love the best—
The day the small boy knows no rest,—
The day when all our banners soar,
The day when all our cannons roar,
The day when all are free from care,
And shouts and music fill the air!"
"Good for Songbird!" cried Sam.
"Go on, please!" came from the girls, and the poet of Putnam Hall continued:
"I love this land of libertyFrom mountains down to flowing sea,I love its cities and its plains,Its valleys and its rocky chains,I'm glad to know that we are free,And so forever may we be!"
"I love this land of libertyFrom mountains down to flowing sea,I love its cities and its plains,Its valleys and its rocky chains,I'm glad to know that we are free,And so forever may we be!"
"I love this land of liberty
From mountains down to flowing sea,
I love its cities and its plains,
Its valleys and its rocky chains,
I'm glad to know that we are free,
And so forever may we be!"
"Hurrah, Songbird, you ought to have that set to music," cried Dick.
"Maybe I will, some day," answered the would-be poet modestly.
"I dink I make some boetry up, too," remarked Hans, after several minutes of serious thought on his part. "Chust you listen vonce!" And he began:
"Dis is der day ven crackers bustUnd fill der air mid bowder tust,Und ven you shoots your bistol off,You make a smokes vot makes you cough.A rocket goes up in der sky—Der sthick vos hit you in der eye!"
"Dis is der day ven crackers bustUnd fill der air mid bowder tust,Und ven you shoots your bistol off,You make a smokes vot makes you cough.A rocket goes up in der sky—Der sthick vos hit you in der eye!"
"Dis is der day ven crackers bust
Und fill der air mid bowder tust,
Und ven you shoots your bistol off,
You make a smokes vot makes you cough.
A rocket goes up in der sky—
Der sthick vos hit you in der eye!"
"Three cheers for Hans!" shouted Tom, clapping the German lad on the back. "For real, first-class A, No. 1, first-chop poetry that can't be beat." And then as the others screamed with laughter Tom went on:
"A little boy,A can of powder,A scratch, a flash—He's gone to chowder!"
"A little boy,A can of powder,A scratch, a flash—He's gone to chowder!"
"A little boy,
A can of powder,
A scratch, a flash—
He's gone to chowder!"
"Oh, Tom, what horrible poetry!" cried Nellie, as she shivered.
"Well, I couldn't help it," he said. "I had to say something or—or bust! Perhaps this will suit you better," and he continued:
"A little boy,A great big gun,A father yellingOn the run.The trigger falls,There is a roar.The father halts—The danger's o'er."
"A little boy,A great big gun,A father yellingOn the run.The trigger falls,There is a roar.The father halts—The danger's o'er."
"A little boy,
A great big gun,
A father yelling
On the run.
The trigger falls,
There is a roar.
The father halts—
The danger's o'er."
"Tom, you're positively the worst boy ever!" said Nellie, but the way she spoke told she meant just the opposite.
"I tell you vot ve vos do, Tom," suggested Hans. "Ve vos form a boetry association alretty, hey? Songpirt can be der bresident."
"What will you be, secretary?" asked Fred.
"No, I vos peen treasurer," answered Hans.
"Hans wants the money," put in Dick.
"Dot's it," answered the German youth calmly. "Ven dem udder fellers makes up pad verses I vos fine dem a tollar, und ven I gits enough tollars I skip me to Canada or Mexigo, hey?" And he said this so comically everybody had to laugh.
The automobiles had been ordered down to the dock and were already in waiting. Each was in charge of a chauffeur, and soon the boys and girls went ashore and piled in. Dick and Dora, Sam and Grace, and Fred got in the first turnout and the others in the second.
"Now do not go too far," said Mrs. Stanhope, "and be sure and keep on roads that are safe."
"And do not stay out later than ten o'clock this evening," added Mrs. Laning.
"Oh, we'll be back safe and sound and on time," cried Dick. "So don't worry about us."
"Those are both powerful machines," was Mr. Rover's comment. "Be careful that you don't exceed the speed limits, or you may be arrested."
"Providing they catch us," answered Tom, with a grin.
It had been decided that they should go out into the country by the way of Germantown, and soon they were bowling along in fine fashion over the smooth city pavement. Here and there they met crowds shooting off pistols and firecrackers.
"It is good we haven't horses," said Sam. "This racket might cause them to run away."
"That is where the automobilist has the advantage over a horse driver, Sam," answered his big brother. "But I must say, some of the young fellows on the street are rather careless."
Scarcely had Dick spoken when the big machine rounded a corner and speeded through a crowd of what were evidently factory hands. They were shooting off pistols and firecrackers and raised a great din. Then one ugly looking young fellow lighted a firecracker and sent it toward the automobile. It landed directly in Dora's lap.
"Oh!" screamed Dora, and tried to draw away.
As quick as a flash Dick leaned forward and caught up the firecracker. As he threw it out of the automobile it exploded close by.
"Do that again, and I'll come back at you!" shouted the elder Rover, and shook his fist at the fellow in the street.
"Dick, did it hurt you?" asked Dora, anxiously.
"Oh, it burst my little finger a trifle, that's all," was the reply. The finger smarted quite some, but Dick did not want to show it.
"We ought to go back and punch his head," was Sam's comment.
"Wonder if they'll try that game on the other auto," said Fred, as he arose to look back.
He saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other machine. It landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash Tom was after it. The fun-loving Rover held it up, took aim, and sent it straight at the fellow who had first launched it. Bang! went the firecracker, right close to the rough's left ear. He set up a howl of pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well.
"There, he's paid back," said Fred, and then the two automobiles passed on, leaving the roughs in the distance.
CHAPTER XIII
A WILD AUTOMOBILE RIDE
"This is glorious!"
"It certainly could not be finer, Dick."
"Some day, Dora, I am going to take you for a long ride," went on Dick. "I mean some day after we get home with that treasure," he added, in a lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear.
"That's a long time off, Dick."
"Perhaps not so long."
"And what are you going to do after this hunt is over?"
"Go to college, I guess. It is not yet fully decided, for we don't know what college to go to."
"I hope——" Dora broke off short.
"What, Dora."
"Oh, I was just thinking. Mamma thinks that I might go to college. If I went it would be nice if we went to two places that were near each other."
"Nice? It would be the best ever!" cried Dick, enthusiastically.
They were running along a country road a good many miles from Philadelphia. All the noise of the city had been left behind and it was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. The second machine was only a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than thirty miles per hour.
"Do you know, some day I am going to make a regular tour in an auto," remarked Sam. "I am sure a fellow could have lots of fun."
"You can have this machine any time you want to," said the chauffeur, who had taken greatly to the party.
"We'll remember," answered Dick, indifferently. He did not particularly fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of liquor. Twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but Dick had told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much.
A hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without an effort. From the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which interested the boys and girls very much:
ICE CREAM.SODA WATER. ROOT BEER.BEST CANDY.
"Let us stop for some ice-cream," suggested Songbird. And he yelled to those in the automobile ahead.
All of the girls loved ice-cream, so despite Dick's anxiety over his chauffeur, a stop was made, and the boys and girls filed into the hotel for the treat. Dick lingered behind to speak to both of the machine drivers, for he saw that the second man was of the same "thirsty" type as the other.
"Do you smoke?" he asked.
"Sure," was the reply from both.
"Then here is a quarter with which you can buy some cigars. And please remember, no drinking," he added, significantly.
"Can't a fellow have a drink if he wants it?" demanded the chauffeur of the first car.
"Not while you have my party out," was Dick's reply.
"Well, a fellow gets thirsty, driving a car in this dust," grumbled the second chauffeur.
"If you are thirsty there is plenty of water handy, and root beer and soda water, too. I meant liquor when I spoke."
"Oh, we'll keep straight enough, don't you worry," said the first chauffeur, and then both of them turned away to a side entrance of the hotel.
Dick was much worried, but he did not let the rest see it. He joined the crowd in the ice-cream pavillion attached to the hotel, and there they spent an hour, eating ice-cream, water ices and cake. Then some of the lads went off and got several boxes of bonbons and chocolates to take along on the rest of the trip.
When they went out to the two automobiles the chauffeurs were missing. A man was trimming a hedge nearby and Dick asked him if he had seen the pair.
"Must be over to the barroom," said the gardener. "That Hellig loves his liquor, and Snall likes a glass, too."
"Was Hellig the driver of this first car?"
"Yes, and Snall ran the second."
Just then Tom came up, having placed Nellie in the second car.
"What's the trouble, Dick?" he questioned.
"I am afraid both our men have gone off to drink. This man says they both love their liquor."
"They do, and both of 'em have been locked up for reckless driving—but don't say I told you," said the gardener.
"Humph! This is serious," murmured Tom. "I don't like to trust a chauffeur who drinks."
"Come with me," said his brother, in a low tone. "Just wait for us," he shouted to the others, who were now in the two cars.
He walked behind the ice-cream pavillion, Tom at his side, and then the pair reached a side door, connecting with the hotel barroom. They looked in and at a small table saw the two chauffeurs drinking liquor from a bottle set before them. Both were rather noisy and had evidently been imbibing freely.
"I won't let no boy run me and tell me what I shall take," they heard Hellig say thickly.
"I'll drink what I please and when I please," answered Snall. "Let us have another, Nat."
"Sure."
"This is the worst ever!" murmured Tom. "They are in no fit condition to run the cars. I wouldn't trust my neck with either of them."
"And I am not going to trust the lives of the girls in their care," answered Dick, firmly.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know yet. But one thing is settled—they shan't take us back."
"I think I could run one car—if we didn't go too fast," suggested Tom, who had run several machines at various times in his lively career.
"I could run the other."
"Then let us do it, Dick. Those fellows don't own the cars, and we didn't hire from them, we hired from the owner of the garage. I guess we have a right to run them under the circumstances."
The two boys walked back to the automobiles. All of the others were now anxious to know what was wrong and they had to give the particulars.
"Oh, Dick, you must not let them run the cars!" cried Grace, turning pale.
"I'd rather have you and Tom run them ten times over," declared Dora.
While the party was talking the two chauffeurs came from the hotel and walked unsteadily towards the automobiles. Their faces were red and their eyes blinked unsteadily.
"Stop!" called Dick, when they were some distance away, and the gardener and some guests of the hotel gathered around to see what was the matter.
"What yer want?" growled Hellig, thickly.
"We are going to leave you both here and run the cars ourselves," answered Dick, coldly. "You are not fit to run them."
"What's the reason we ain't?" mumbled Snall. He could hardly speak.
"You've been drinking too much—that's the reason."
"Humph!"
"We are going to run them machines an' don't you forgit it," mumbled Hellig, and lurched forward.
"Don't you ride with those intoxicated fellows," said one of the hotel guests.
"We don't intend to," answered Dick. "All ready, Tom?" he called out.
"Yes."
"Then go ahead. I'll catch up to you."
"Hi, you stop!" screamed Snall, as one of the automobiles began to move off down the road. But Tom paid no attention to him.
Running swiftly, Dick reached the other car and hopped up to the chauffeur's seat. He had watched the driver operate the car and knew exactly what to do. He soon had the engine running and then he threw in the speed clutch just as Hellig lurched up.
"You mustn't run away with that machine!" he roared.
"Keep away!" cried Sam, and leaning out of the car he gave the chauffeur a shove that sent him flat on his back in the dust of the road. Then the car moved off. As those in the automobile looked back they saw Hellig arise and shake his fist after them, and Snall waved his arms wildly.
"We'll hear from them again, I suppose," said Sam.
"And they'll hear from me," answered Dick, "and the fellow who sent them out to run the cars for us will hear from me, too," he added.
Tom was quite a distance ahead, but they soon caught up to his car. By this time they were out of sight and hearing of the hotel, and going down the other side of the hill they had come up.
"If you wish, you can take the lead," said the fun-loving Rover to his older brother. "I don't know a thing about these roads."
"We'll have to trust to luck and the signboards," returned Dick.
"It will be all right if only you don't get on some road that is impassible," put in Fred.
"And get stuck thirty miles from nowhere," added Songbird.
"You stick to dem roads vot haf stones on dem got," said Hans wisely. "Ton't you vos drust der car to der tirt roads, no!"
"I shall follow Hans' advice and stick to the good roads," said Dick. "I think the signboards will help us to get back to Philadelphia sooner or later."
They sped down the hill and there found the road turned to the left and crossed a small stream. Then they reached a corner with several signboards.
"Hurrah! that's the way to Philly!" cried Sam.
"But it doesn't say how many miles," protested Grace.
"Never mind, we are bound to get there before dark, and that is all we care," came from Nellie.
In the exhilaration of running the cars, Dick and Tom soon forgot about the trouble with the chauffeurs. It was great sport, and as soon as Dick "got the hang of it," as he said, he let the speed out, notch by notch. His car ran a trifle more easily than did the other and before long he was a good half mile ahead of that run by Tom. Those in the rear shouted for him to slow down, but the wind prevented him from hearing their calls.
"This is something like, isn't it?" said Dick to Dora, who was beside him.
"Oh, it is splendid!" she replied enthusiastically. "I feel as if I could go on riding forever!"
"An auto certainly beats a team all to bits, if the road is good."
They passed up another hill, and then through a patch of woods. Then they made a sharp turn, and the car began to descend over a road that was filled with loose stones.
"Say, Dick, you'd better slow up," cautioned Sam, as the machine gave a quick lurch over a stone. "This road isn't as smooth as it was."
"I know it."
"I saw a road to our right," said Grace. "Perhaps we should have taken that."
There was no time to say more, for the automobile was jouncing over the stones in too lively a manner. Alarmed, Dick, who had already shut off the power, applied the brake, but he was not used to this and he jammed it fast so it did not altogether prevent the car from advancing.
"Oh, we must stop!" screamed Dora, a moment later. "Look ahead!"
Dick did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. Below them the stony road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other some thick bushes. In the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon filled with lime. Should they hit the turnout below somebody would surely be hurt and perhaps killed.
CHAPTER XIV
WHAT A ROMAN CANDLE DID
It was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that Dick Rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose his presence of mind. As the others in the automobile arose to leap out he called to them:
"Sit down! Don't jump! I'll look out for things!"
Then, even as he spoke, Dick turned the steering wheel and sent the big machine crashing into the bushes to one side of the roadway. He chose a spot that was comparatively level, and in five seconds they came to a halt just in front of half a dozen trees.
"We must take care of Tom's machine!" cried Sam, and leaped over the back of the automobile. The machine had cut down the bushes, so the path was clear and he ran with might and main to the roadway. At the top of the hill was the second car, coming along at a good speed.
"Stop! stop!" he yelled, frantically, and waved his arms in the air.
Tom saw the movement and knew at once something was wrong. He threw off the power and applied the emergency brake and the automobile just passed Sam and no more.
"What's the matter?" came from everyone in the second car.
"That's what's the matter," answered Sam, pointing to the foot of the rocky hill. "That wagon—Well, I declare!"
The youngest Rover stared and well he might, for the farmer's turnout with the load of lime had disappeared from view. The farmer had turned into a field at the bottom of the hill just as Dick turned his car into the bushes.
"I don't see anything," said Nellie. And then Sam had to explain and point out the situation of the first car.
"I guess I can get down the hill well enough," said Tom. "But this appears to be a poor road. We ought to try to find something better."
All those in the second car got out and walked to that which was stalled in the bushes. They found Dick and Fred walking around the machine trying to learn if any damage had been done.
"We might have kept right on," said Sam, and explained why.
"Well, we are here, and now comes the problem of getting back on the road," said the eldest Rover. "I don't think I can back very well in here."
"Better make a turn on the down grade," suggested Sam. "We can cut down some of the big bushes that are in the way, and fill up some of the holes with stones."
It was decided to do this, and all of the boys took off their coats and went to work. Soon they had a fairly clear path, and after backing away a few feet from the trees, Dick turned downward in a semi-circle, and got out once more on the road. This time he was mindful to use the brake with care, and consequently he gained the bottom of the stony hill without further mishap, and the second machine came after him.
"There is that farmer," said Songbird. "Why not ask him about the roads?"
"I will," said Dick, and stalked into the field.
"This ain't no good road to Philadelphia," said the farmer, when questioned. "Better go back up the hill and take the road on the right."
"We can't get back very well."
"Then you had better go along this road an' take the first turn to the left and after that the next turn to the right. You'll have about three miles o' poor roads, but then you'll be all right, but the distance to the city is six miles longer."
There was no help for it and they went on, over dirt roads which were anything but good. They had to go slowly, and Tom kept the second car far to the rear, to escape the thick dust sent up by the leading machine.
"This isn't so fine," declared Dick, with a grimace at Dora. "I am sorry we took that false turn at the top of the hill."
"Oh, we'll have to take the bitter with the sweet," answered the girl, lightly.
"I shan't mind it if you don't, Dora."
"Don't worry, Dick, I am not minding it a bit. I am only glad we got rid of that intoxicated chauffeur. He might have gotten us into far more trouble than this."
Inside of an hour they found themselves on a good stone road and reached a signboard put up by the automobile association, telling the exact distance to Philadelphia. This set them at ease mentally, and they started off at a speed of twenty miles an hour. Tom wanted to "let her out," as he put it, but Nellie demurred and so he kept to the rear as before.
"But some day I am going to have a machine of my own," said he, "and it is going to do some speeding, I can tell you that."
"Yah, and der first dings you know, Dom, you vos ub a dree odder you sphlit a rock insides owid," warned Hans. "Ven I ride so fast like dot I valk, I pet you!"
It was dark long before the city was reached and they had to stop to light the lamps, and they also had to fix the batteries of the second car. Fred, who was getting hungry, suggested they stop somewhere for something to eat, but the girls demurred.
"Wait until the ride is ended," said Dora; "Then we can take our time over supper."
As night came on they saw fireworks displayed here and there and enjoyed the sights greatly.
"I've got some fireworks on the yacht," said Tom. "I reckon I'll be rather late setting them off."
While they were yet three miles from the river they stopped at a drug store and there Dick telephoned to the owner of the machines, explaining matters, and asking the man to send down to the dock for the cars.
"He's pretty angry," said Dick, as he leaped into the automobile again. "He says we had no right to run off with the cars."
"Well, he had no right to send us off with those awful chauffeurs," answered Dora.
"Oh, I'm not afraid of anything he'll do," answered Dick.
Nevertheless, he was a bit anxious as he reached the dock, and he lost no time in sending the girls to the yacht with Songbird, and he asked his chum to send Mr. Rover ashore.
A minute later a light runabout spun up and a tall, thin man, with a sour face, leaped out and strode up to the two machines.
"Who hired these machines, I want to know?" he demanded.
"I did," answered Dick boldly. "Are you the manager of the garage?"
"I am, and I want to know by what right you've been running the cars without the regular drivers?"
"We wanted to get back to the city and the chauffeurs were in no condition to bring us back," put in Tom.
"What have you to do with it, young man?"
"I drove one car and my brother here drove the other. We didn't hurt the machines and you ought to be glad we brought them back in good condition."
"Humph! You hadn't any license to run them."
"We took the liberty of doing so," said Dick. "If you want to get angry about it, I'll get angry myself. You had no right to place those cars in the hands of unreliable men. You risked our lives by so doing."
"Those men are reliable enough. One of them telephoned to me you had run away with the autos."
"The folks at the Dardell Hotel will tell you how reliable they were. I warned them not to drink, but they did, and they were in no condition to run any automobile."
"I don't allow just anybody to run my machines," stormed the man. "They are expensive pieces of property."
"Well, they are not worth as much as our necks, not by a good deal," said Tom.
"Don't you get impudent, young fellow!"
"He is not impudent," said Dick. "Your machines are all right—we didn't hurt them in the least. But I can tell you one thing," he proceeded earnestly. "We don't propose to pay for the hire of the chauffeurs."
"That's the talk," broke in Fred. "Pay him for the use of the cars only."
"You'll pay the whole bill!" growled the automobile owner.
"Not a cent more than the hire of the two cars," said Tom.
The man began to storm, and threatened to have them locked up for running the cars without a license. But in the end he accepted the money Dick offered him.
"Maybe you haven't heard the end of this," he muttered.
"If you make trouble, perhaps I'll do the same," answered Dick, and then he and the others went aboard the yacht, where a late supper awaited them. Mr. Rover had heard of the unreliable chauffeurs and he was even more indignant than his sons.
"I don't think that owner will show himself again," he said. "If he does I'll take care of him." The man was never heard of; and that ended the affair.
"We had a splendid time anyway," declared Grace, and the other girls agreed with her.
Tom had not forgotten about his fireworks, and after supper he invited the crowd to the deck and gave them quite an exhibition.
"Here, Hans, you can set off this Roman candle," he said, presently. "Show the ladies how nicely you can do it. But take off your coat and roll up your shirt sleeve before you begin," he added, with a dig into Sam's ribs, which meant, "watch for fun."
Quite innocently the German lad took off his coat and rolled his shirt sleeve up over his elbow. Then he took the big Roman candle and lit it.
"Now swing it around lively," cried Tom, and Hans began to describe little circles with the Roman candle. Soon the sparks began to pour forth, and not a few came down on the bare wrist and forearm.
"Ouch! ouch!" yelled Hans, dancing around. "Ach du meine zeit!Say, somepody sthop dot! I vos purn mineselluf ub alretty!"
"Swing it around quicker!" cried Dick.
"Turn it in the shape of a figure eight!" suggested Fred.
"Loop the loop with it," came from Sam.
Around and around went the Roman candle and then bang! out shot a ball, hitting one of the masts of the steam yacht. Then bang! went another ball, hitting the top of the cabin.
"Hold it up straighter, Hans!" said Songbird. "Don't shoot somebody."
"If I hold him ub I burn mineselluf worser!" groaned the German youth. "Here, you dake him, Sam, I got enough."
"No, no, Hans, I won't deprive you of the pleasure of shooting it off," answered the youngest Rover, and skipped out of the way.
HANS WAS HOPPING AROUND LIKE A MADMAN.
HANS WAS HOPPING AROUND LIKE A MADMAN.
One after another the balls, red, white and blue, poured from the Roman candle. It was a pretty sight, but Hans' aim was more than bad, and one hit the bow and another the stern, while a third whizzed past Dick's ear. In the meantime Hans was hopping around like a madman, trying to keep the sparks from his skin.
"Throw it overboard!" cried Mr. Rover, who was enjoying the fun, but who was afraid somebody might get a fire ball in the face.
"Only a few more balls left," said Tom. "Hans, try to hit the top of the mast—don't point it downward."
The German youth was too excited to listen to the advice. He continued to dance around. Bang! went another ball and entered the cabin of the steam yacht. Bang! came the final one and that too disappeared into the interior of the craft Then the Roman candle went out, and Hans breathed a sigh of relief.
"I vos glat dot is ofer," he said. "No more firevorks for me, not on your kollarbuttons, no!"
"I hope they didn't do any damage in the cabin——" began Mrs. Stanhope anxiously, when there came a cry from Aleck Pop.
"Stop dat fire from comin' down!" yelled the colored man. "De hull cabin's in a blaze!"
CHAPTER XV
THE SAILING OF THE STEAM YACHT
The announcement made by Aleck Pop filled all on board the steam yacht with consternation, and while Hans still nursed his arm and wrist the other boys, with Anderson Rover and Captain Barforth, rushed down the companionway.
A glance showed them what was the matter. One of the balls of fire had struck a curtain and ignited the flimsy material. The fire was now dropping down on some fireworks Tom had left on a chair. Just as they entered a pinwheel, lying flat, began to fizz, sending a shower of sparks across the other pieces.
"Quick! out with that stuff!" cried Anderson Rover and sent the pinwheel flying into a corner with his hand. Then he stepped on it, putting out the fire.
In the meantime, Dick and Sam pulled down the burning curtain and stamped on that. The others scattered the fireworks and saw to it that not a spark remained in the cabin.
"A close call!" murmured Captain Barforth, when the excitement was over. "It is lucky we got down here so soon."
"I was thinkin' de hull ship was gwine ter bust up!" said Aleck, with a shiver. "Dis chile knows jess how quick fireworks kin go off. I see a big combustication of dem one summer in a hotel where I was waiting. Da had to call de fire department to put dem out an' da shot out moah dan a dozen winders, too!"
"We had a similar trouble, when the yacht club had a celebration," said the captain. "A Japanese lantern dropped on some rockets and set them off. The rockets flew in all directions and one struck a deck hand in the arm and he had to go to the hospital to be treated. We have had a lucky escape."
The accident put a damper on more celebrating, and Tom was requested to store away what remained of the fireworks. Little did he dream of how useful those fireworks were to become in the future.
Early on the following morning Bahama Bill presented himself. The boys had been told how he looked, yet they had all they could do to keep from smiling when he presented himself. He was a short, thickset man, with broad shoulders, and legs which were very much bowed. He wore his reddish hair long and also sported a thick beard. He had a squint in one eye which, as Sam said, "gave him the appearance of looking continually over his shoulder. When he talked his voice was an alternate squeak and rumble.
"Well, of all the odd fellows I ever met he is the limit," was Tom's comment. "Why, he'd do for a comic valentine!"
"I almost had to laugh in his face," said Sam. "Even now I can't look at him without grinning."
"He's a character," was Dick's opinion. "You'll never get tired with that chap around," and in this surmise he was correct, for Bahama Bill was as full of sea yarns as some fish are full of bones, and he was willing to talk as long as anybody would listen to him.
"Very much pleased to know ye all," said he with a profound bow to the ladies. "Ain't seen such a nice crowd since I sailed on theMary Elizabeth, up the coast o' Maine, jest fourteen years ago. At that time we had on board Captain Rigger's wife, his mother-in-law, his two sisters, his brother's wife, his aunt and——"
"Never mind the Rigger family just now, Camel," interrupted Mr. Rover. "What I want to know is, are you ready to sail?"
"Aye, aye! that I am, and I don't care if it's a trip for two months or two years. Once when I sailed on theSunflowerthe captain said we'd be out a month, and we struck a storm and drifted almost over to the coast o' Africy. The water ran low, and——"
"Well, if you are ready to sail, we'll start without further delay," interrupted Anderson Rover, and gave the necessary orders to Captain Barforth.
"Good-bye to home!" cried Dick, and took off his cap. "When we return may we have the treasure safely stowed away in the hold or the cabin!"
"So say we all of us!" sang out Tom.
Steam was already up and a cloud of smoke was pouring from the funnel of the steam yacht. The lines were cast off, and a few minutes later the vessel was on her voyage down the Delaware River to the bay.
"You are sure we have everything necessary for this trip?" asked Mr. Rover, of the captain.
"Yes, Mr. Rover; I even brought along some picks and shovels," answered the master of the steam yacht, and smiled faintly. He had little faith in the treasure hunt being successful, but he thought the trip down among the West Indies would be well worth taking.
It was a beautiful day, with just sufficient breeze blowing to cool the July air. While they were steaming down the river the girls and ladies, and some of the boys, sat on the forward deck taking in the various sights which presented themselves. There were numerous tugs and sailing craft, and now and then a big tramp steamer or regular liner, for Philadelphia has a large commerce with the entire world.
"It hardly seems possible that the treasure hunt has really begun," said Dora to Dick.
"Well, it won't actually begin until we are down about where Treasure Isle is located," was the reply. "We have quite a few days' sailing before that time comes."
"I hope it remains clear, Dick."
"I am afraid it won't, Dora; there are always more or less storms among the West Indies."
"I have heard they sometimes have terrible hurricanes," came from Grace. "I read of one hurricane which flooded some small islands completely."
"Grace is trying to scare us!" cried Nellie.
"Well, islands have been swept by hurricanes," said Sam, coming to the rescue of his dearest girl friend. "But let us hope we escape all heavy storms."
"A steam yacht is not as bad off as a sailing vessel," said Dick. "If necessary, we can run away from a heavy storm. In a high wind it's a sailing ship that catches it."
By nightfall they had passed out of Delaware Bay into the Atlantic Ocean, and then the course was changed to almost due south. As soon as they got out on the long swells theRainbowcommenced to toss and pitch considerably.
"Now you can sing a life on the ocean wave!" cried Dick to Songbird. "How does this suit you?"
"Elegant!" was the reply, and then the would-be poet began to warble:
"I love the rolling oceanWith all its strange commotionAnd all the washing wavelets that hit us on the side;I love to hear the dashingOf the waves and see the splashingOf the foam that churns around us as on we swiftly glide!"
"I love the rolling oceanWith all its strange commotionAnd all the washing wavelets that hit us on the side;I love to hear the dashingOf the waves and see the splashingOf the foam that churns around us as on we swiftly glide!"
"I love the rolling ocean
With all its strange commotion
And all the washing wavelets that hit us on the side;
I love to hear the dashing
Of the waves and see the splashing
Of the foam that churns around us as on we swiftly glide!"
"Gee Christopher!" cried Sam. "Say, Songbird, that rhyme is enough to make one dizzy!"
"I dink dot boetry vos make me tizzy already," came from Hans, as he sat down on a nearby chair, his face growing suddenly pale.
"Hullo, Hans is sick!" cried Tom. "Hans, I thought you had better sea legs than that."
"I vosn't sick at all, Dom, only—vell, der ship looks like he vos going to dake a summersaults already kvick!"
"You're seasick," said Sam. "Better go to your stateroom and lie down."
"I ton't vos going to get seasick," protested the German youth.
"Think of Hansy getting seasick!" cried Fred. "That's the best yet!" And he laughed heartily. "Shall I hold your head for you?" he asked, with a grin.
"I guess it vos der fireworks yesterday done him," said Hans weakly, and staggered off to the cabin.
"That's kind of rough to twit him, Fred," remarked Dick.
"Oh, I only meant it in fun."
"Maybe you'll get seasick yourself."
"Not much! If I do, I have a remedy in my trunk, that I brought from home."
"You'd better give the remedy to Hans."
"I will."
Fred went below and got the bottle of medicine from his dress-suit case. As he did this his own head began to swim around, much to his alarm.
"Here, Hans, is a dose for you," he said, entering the stateroom, where the German youth was rolling around on the berth.
"Vot ist it for?" groaned the sufferer.
"Seasickness."
"Den gif it to me kvick! Gif me apout two quarts!"
"It says take a tablespoonful," said Fred, reading the label with difficulty. "Here you are."
He administered the medicine, which Hans took without a murmur, although it was very bitter. Then he tried to take a dose himself, but his stomach suddenly "went back on him," and he let the bottle fall with a crash to the floor.
"Oh, my! you vos lose all dot goot medicine!" cried Hans, in alarm.
"I—I know it," groaned Fred. "And I—er—I need it so much!"
"Vot, you seasick, too? Ha, ha! Dot's vot you gits for boking fun at me, yah!" And Hans smiled in spite of his anguish.
It was certainly poetic justice that Fred should get seasick and that the malady should affect him far more seriously than it did Hans. The medicine given to the German lad made him feel better in less than an hour, while poor Fred suffered until noon of the next day. None of the other boys were affected. The ladies and the girls felt rather dizzy, and Mrs. Stanhope had to lie down until the next forenoon, but by the evening of the next day all were around as before, and then seasickness became a thing of the past.
"Can't tell nuthin' about that seasickness," said Bahama Bill, to Tom, after hearing how ill Fred was. "I remember onct I took a voyage to Rio in South America. We had a cap'n as had sailed the sea for forty years an' a mate who had been across the ocean sixteen times. Well, sir, sure as I'm here we struck some thick weather with theJohnny Jacksontumblin' an' tossin' good, and the cap'n an' the mate took seasick an' was sick near the hull trip. Then the second mate got down, an' the bosun, an' then the cook, an——"
"The cabin boy——" suggested Tom.
"No, we didn't have any cabin boy. Next——"
"Maybe the second fireman caught it."
"No, this was a bark an' we didn't have no second fireman, nor fust, neither. Next——"
"Maybe the cat, or don't cats get seasick?"
"The cat. Why, mate——"
"I see some cats get sick, but that may not be seasick, even though you can see the sickness," went on Tom, soberly.
"I don't know as we had a cat on board. But as I was sayin', next——"
"Oh, I know what you are driving at, Bill. Next the steersman got down with the mumps, then you took the shingles, and another sailor got lumbago, while the third mate had to crawl around with a boil on his foot as large as a cabbage. I heard about that affair—read about it in the last monthly number of the Gasman's Gazette—how the ship had to sail itself for four weeks and how the wind blew it right into port and how not even a shoestring was lost overboard. It was really wonderful and I am thankful you reminded me of it." And then Tom walked off, leaving Bahama Bill staring after him in dumb amazement. The old tar realized dimly that for once he had met his match at yarn spinning, and it was several days before he attempted to tell any more of his outrageous stories.