"Dick must be drowned."
It was Tom who spoke, addressing Sam and Aleck Pop.
For hours they had searched among the floating lumber for some sign of the missing one, and the only thing that had been found was Dick's cap, caught in a crack of one of the timbers.
"It's awful!" murmured Sam. His face was white and he was ready to cry, for Dick was very dear to him.
"Perhaps dat steamboat dun pick him up," suggested Pop. He wanted to say something comforting.
"I pray to Heaven she did," murmured Tom. "I suppose the best thing we can do now is to steer for Cleveland."
"Yes, that's the only hope left," answered Sam. "If he was floating around here we would surely have spotted him before this with the glass."
The course was changed, and toward nightfall they came in sight of Cleveland, and learned where they could tie up, at a spot close to where the steamer had made her landing.
Their first inquiries were at this point, and from a longshoreman they quickly learned that two persons had been picked up by the steamer, a big man and a young fellow.
"It must be Dick!" cried Sam.
"Where did they take the young fellow?" questioned Tom.
"A man and a big boy came from the steamer and took charge of him," answered the longshoreman.
"Don't you know where they went?"
"No; most likely to the hospital. The young fellow was in pretty bad shape. They got in a coach."
"Did the other man who was saved go along?"
"No; he's all right, and is around here looking for you folks—so he told me. He—here he comes now."
The longshoreman pointed to Luke Peterson, who had just appeared at the upper end of the dock. Both Sam and Tom ran to meet him.
"So you are Dick Rover's brothers," said Peterson, as he shook hands. "Glad to know you. Yes, your brother is all right, although mighty tucked out by the exposure. He fell in with a couple o' friends on the steamer, and they took him up to the Commercial Hotel."
As Peterson was curious to know how Dick was faring, he agreed to accompany Sam and Tom to the hotel, and all three boarded a handy street car for that purpose.
"I wish to see my brother, Dick Rover," said Tom to the clerk at the desk.
"Not stopping here, sir," was the reply, after the clerk had consulted the register.
"I mean the young man who was hauled out of the lake and was brought here feeling rather sick."
The clerk shook his head. "No such person here."
Sam and Tom stared in astonishment, and then turned to the lumberman.
"The friends who were with him said they were going to bring him here," said Luke Peterson. "And I promised to send you after 'em as soon as I spotted ye."
"I don't understand—" began Tom, and then turned swiftly to Sam. "Can this be some of Arnold Baxter's work?"
"It may be. Mr. Peterson, how did the man who was with my brother look?"
As well as he could Luke Peterson described Arnold Baxter, and alsoDan. Tom gave a low whistle.
"I'll wager poor Dick has fallen into the hands of the enemy," he cried.
"What enemy?" questioned the lumberman.
In as few words as possible Tom and Sam explained the situation, concluding by saying they had discovered Arnold Baxter on the steamer. The story made Luke Peterson look very grave.
"Reckon we let your brother git into the wrong hands," he observed.
"The question is, where did they take Dick?"
"That's so, where?"
"Evidently they didn't come here at all."
"Perhaps, if I could find that coach driver, I might learn somethin'."
"That's so—let us find him by all means."
But to find the driver was not easy, and by midnight the search was abandoned. Much dejected, Sam and Tom returned to theSwallow, and Luke Peterson accompanied them. Peterson was also downhearted, having heard nothing of the tug which had been towing the lumber raft or of his friend Bragin.
"I'll notify the police in the morning," said Tom, and did so. He also sent a telegram to his father, telling of what had happened. The police took up the case readily, but brought nothing new to light.
"I'm going to interview every cabby in town," said Tom, and proceeded to do so, accompanied by Luke Peterson and Sam.
At five o'clock in the afternoon they found the coach driver who had taken Dick from the dock.
"The man said they had no rooms vacant at the Commercial Hotel," said the coach driver. "So he had me drive the party to Dr. Karley's Private Sanitarium."
"Where is that?"
"On the outskirts, about a mile and a half from here."
"Can you take us there now?"
"Sorry, but I've got a job in quarter of an hour."
"We'll pay you double fare," put in Sam. "Get somebody else to take that other job."
To this the coach driver readily agreed, but to make the arrangement took time, and it was six o'clock before they were on the way to Dr. Karley's place.
When they reached the sanitarium they found the building dark, with the shutters on the ground floor tightly closed. Dr. Karley answered Tom's summons in person.
"Yes, the parties were here," he said smoothly. "But I could not accommodate them, and so they went elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?" echoed Tom.
"Exactly, sir."
"But our coach driver says they got off here. He was the one who brought them."
At this announcement the face of the physician changed color for an instant. But he quickly recovered himself.
"Well—er—they did get off here, as the sick young man wished to rest. When I said I couldn't accommodate them the older man went off and got another coach, and all three went off in that."
"To where?"
"I do not know, although I recommended the general hospital to them."
"They did not go to any of the city institutions."
"Then perhaps they went to a hotel."
"We have inquired at every hotel in town."
The little old doctor shrugged his bony shoulders. "I am sorry, but I can give you no further information."
"How was the sick young man when he was here?"
"He didn't appear to be very sick. Had he been bad I would have certainly done more for him."
"And you haven't the least idea where they went to?"
"I have not."
"It's mighty strange," was Tom's blunt comment. "Do you know who the sick young man was?"
"I haven't the slightest idea. I never ask questions unless they are necessary."
"He was my brother, and those fellows who had him in charge are his enemies and up to no good."
"Indeed!" And Dr. Karley elevated his shaggy eyebrows in well-assumed surprise.
"I am bound to find my brother, and if you know anything more you had better tell me," went on Tom bluntly.
The random shaft struck home, and the old doctor started back in dismay.
"Why—er—surely you do not—er—suspect me of—ahem—of anything wrong?" he stammered.
"I want to get at the truth. Which way did they go when they drove off?"
"Directly for town."
"And when was this?"
"Inside of half an hour after they got here."
"Did they give any names?"
"No. It was not necessary, since I could not take them in."
"Your place doesn't seem to be very crowded."
At this the physician glared angrily at Tom.
"Boy, it seems to me that you are growing impudent!" he cried. "I am not accustomed to being addressed in this fashion. I think I had better bid you good-night."
The two were standing in the hallway, and now the doctor opened the door to signify that the interview was over.
"All right, I'll go," muttered Tom. "But I am going to get to the bottom of this affair, don't you forget that." And then he hurried out and rejoined Sam and Peterson at the coach.
"He may be telling the truth," said the coach driver, on hearing what Tom had to say. "But, all the same, I was driving around these streets for a good hour after I left here, and I saw no other rig with those men and your brother in it."
"I am inclined to think the doctor is humbugging us," answered Tom."But the thing is to prove it."
"Perhaps you had better watch the place for a while," suggested the lumberman.
"Do you know anything of this doctor—what sort of a reputation he has?" asked Sam of the driver.
"His reputation is none of the best," was the answer. "He has been in court twice because of the people he treats."
"Then he wouldn't be above helping Arnold Baxter—if he was paid for it," said Tom.
All entered the coach and drove off around the nearest corner.
Then Tom and Sam got out and walked away, intending to come up at the rear of the sanitarium.
Presently a carriage appeared in view, driven by a man who, in the gloom, appeared strangely familiar, despite his false beard.
"Arnold Baxter!" cried Sam. "Hi, there, whoa!"
He ran toward the carriage and caught the horse by the bridle. Tom followed, and the man, who was just returning from taking Dick to thePeacock, was brought to bay.
"Arnold Baxter, where is my brother Dick?" demanded Tom, as he reached the carriage and caught the evildoer by the arm.
To say that Arnold Baxter was astonished would be to put it altogether too mildly. He was completely dumfounded.
"You!" he said slowly, hardly knowing how to speak after he had caught his breath.
"Yes, you rascal. Where is Dick."
"Dick?"
"Yes, Dick."
"I know nothing of your brother. This is a—a complete surprise. I didn't know you were in Cleveland."
"Perhaps not. But let me tell you that we know your game, and we are going to hand you over to the law."
"Never!" Arnold Baxter fairly hissed out the words. "Let go of that horse"—the latter words to Sam.
"Don't you do it!" cried Tom, and then he caught Arnold Baxter by the leg. "Come out of the carriage."
A fierce struggle ensued, and, afraid that Tom would get the worst of it, Sam set up a loud shout for help.
"You whelp! I'll fix you!" ejaculated Arnold Baxter, and catching up the whip, he struck at Tom with the butt end. He caught the youth directly over the head, and Tom went down as if shot.
"Let Tom alone," screamed Sam. "Help! help!"
"Who is it?" came from a distance, and Luke Peterson hove into sight."Hullo! the man we are after."
He made a dive for Arnold Baxter, but the latter was too quick for him, and leaped from the opposite side of the carriage to the ground. The horse now became frightened and set off on a run, directly for a lane behind Dr. Karley's institution.
"Tom, are you badly hurt?" questioned Sam, but, even as he spoke, Tom tried to stagger to his feet. Seeing this, Sam began a chase after Baxter, with the lumberman beside him.
Arnold Baxter was fleet of foot, and realizing what capture meant—a return to prison with his sentence to be served once more from the beginning—he ran as never before, straight for the dock where thePeacocklay.
[Illustration: THE HORSE NOW BECAME FRIGHTENED AND SET OFF ON A RUN.]
His first thought was to board the schooner and set sail out into the lake, but a second thought convinced him that this would be unwise.
"They will follow me on a tug or steamer, and the jig will be up in no time," he said to himself "I must find some hiding place."
Many of the docks were inclosed by high board fences, and coming to one of these, he leaped over and made his way to a huge pile of merchandise. Here he crouched down and kept as quiet as a mouse.
Sam and Peterson, followed by Tom, traced him to the fence, but once on the opposite side, lost all track of the rascal.
"He's gone," said Tom, after running hither and thither on the dock."He has given us the slip nicely."
"He can't be far off," returned Sam. "I believe he was bound for that doctor's sanitarium when we spotted him."
"So do I, and I wouldn't wonder if poor Dick is at the place, a prisoner."
The matter was talked over for several minutes, and the two brothers decided to return to Dr. Karley's sanitarium. The lumberman said he would remain around the docks on the lookout for Arnold Baxter.
"If you catch him I'll give you fifty dollars," said Tom. "My father, I know, will pay the amount willingly."
"I'll do my best," answered Peterson. He was by no means rich and glad enough of a chance to make such a sum. Besides this, the ways of the Rover boys appeared to please him.
When Sam and Tom returned to the doctor's place they found the coach driver still at hand, he having caught Arnold Baxter's horse at the entrance to the lane.
"Take him to the stable and ask the doctor if the rig is his," said Tom, and the coach driver agreed. He was gone the best part of quarter of an hour.
"The doctor says it is his horse and carriage, but he also says he didn't know the turnout was out," he announced, with a grin. "He's an oily one, he is!"
"Right you are, but he can't stuff us with his fairy tales," repliedTom. "Do you suppose there is a policeman handy?"
"There is probably one somewhere around."
"I wish you would hunt him up and bring him here."
"What are you going to do?"
"Dare the lion in his den; eh, Sam?"
"Right, Tom! That doctor must know a good deal more than he is wiling to tell."
The coach driver went off, and walking around to the front of the sanitarium the boys rang the bell sharply.
There was no answer to the summons, and then Tom gave the bell knob a jerk which nearly broke it off. A second-story window was thrown open with a bang.
"I want you boys to go away!" came in angry tones.
"And I want you to come down and let us in," retorted Tom.
"I won't let you in. I've told you all I know, and that is the end of it."
"It's not the end of it, Dr. Karley. We want to know how you came to let Arnold Baxter have your horse and carriage."
"I didn't know the horse and carriage were out of the stable. The man must have taken them on the sly."
"It's not likely. Open the door and let us in—it will be best for you."
"Ha, you threaten me!"
"I've done more than that-I've sent for a policeman."
At this announcement the old doctor grated his teeth savagely. He was much disturbed and knew not how to proceed.
"I was a fool to go into this thing," he muttered. "It may lead to all sorts of trouble. I must get myself clear somehow."
"Are you going to let us in?" went on Tom.
"Yes, I will let you in. But allow me to state that you are acting very foolishly," answered the doctor, and dropped the window. A few minutes later he appeared at the door, which he opened very gingerly.
"You can come into the parlor," he said stiffly.
"We'll remain right here," answered Tom, afraid of some sort of a trap.
"Well, what do you want?"
"I want to know where that young man, my brother, is."
"The man who was with him said he was his nephew."
"It was a falsehood. Now where is my brother?"
"Honestly, I have not the slightest idea."
"What was that man doing with your carriage?"
"I repeat, young man, I did not know he had the carriage." The old doctor drew a long breath, wondering how soon an officer of the law would appear. "Of course if anything is wrong I am perfectly willing to do all I can to set it right. My institution is above reproach, and I wish to keep it so."
"Are you willing to let me look through your place?"
"So you think your brother is here?"
"I do."
"You are very forward. Still, to convince you that you are mistaken, you are at liberty to go through my place from top to bottom. But you must not disturb any of the patients."
"All right; let us go through. Sam, you remain here, on the watch for that policeman."
With bad grace Dr. Karley led the way and took Tom through the sanitarium from top to bottom, even allowing him to peep into the rooms occupied by the "boarders," as the medical man called them. Of course there was no trace of Dick.
"Now I trust you are satisfied," said the doctor, when they were again at the front door.
"I am not satisfied about that carriage affair," returned Tom, as bluntly as ever.
"Well, I have told you the truth."
At this moment the coach driver came in sight, accompanied by a policeman.
"What's the trouble?" demanded the officer of the law.
Tom and Sam told their tale, and then the doctor had his say, and the driver related what he knew.
"Certainly a queer mix-up," remarked the policeman. He turned to theRovers. "What do you want to do?"
"I want to find my brother, who has disappeared," said Tom.
"You say you have searched through here?"
"I have—after a fashion."
"You can go through, if you wish," said the doctor to the officer.
"I reckon my brother is gone," went on Tom. "But this doctor helped the rascals who spirited him away."
"I did absolutely nothing," cried Dr. Karley. "I am willing to aid you all I can. But I am innocent. I received no pay for giving the unfortunate young man some medicine to strengthen him, and my horse and carriage were taken without my knowledge."
A long and bitter war of words followed, but in the end the doctor was left to himself.
"We'll make no charge against him yet," said Tom to the policeman. "But I wish you would keep an eye on the institution—in case that rascal puts in an appearance again."
"I will," returned the officer.
A little while later Sam and Tom set out to rejoin Luke Peterson. When they gained the dock they saw nobody.
"He ought to be somewhere about," said the younger Rover.
They tramped about from place to place for fully an hour.
Presently they came close to where theSwallowlay. Had they but known it, thePeacock, with poor Dick on board, lay but three blocks further away.
"My gracious!" cried Sam suddenly.
He had seen a form stretched motionless across some lumber lying near.
The form was that of Luke Peterson, and his cheek and temple were covered with blood.
"Peterson!" cried Tom, in dismay.
"Can he be dead?" came from Sam. Then he bent over the lumberman. "No, he still lives. But he has been treated most shamefully."
"This must be some more of Arnold Baxter's work."
"Or else the work of some footpad."
Both boys knelt over the prostrate form of the lumberman and did what they could to restore him to his senses.
In this they were partly successful.
"Don't hit me again! Please don't hit me!" the man moaned, over and over again.
"You're safe," said Tom. But Peterson paid no attention, and only begged them not to hit him.
"Let us carry him to theSwallow," suggested Sam, and between them they did so.
"Wot's dis?" asked Aleck Pop, in astonishment.
"He is our friend, and has been struck down," answered Tom. "Get some water in a basin, and a little liquor."
When the colored man returned with the articles mentioned both boys washed the wounded man's head and bound it up with a towel. Then Tom administered a few spoonfuls of liquor. This seemed to give Peterson some strength, but he did not fully recover for some hours.
"Follow thePeacock," were his first rational words. "Follow the schoonerPeacock."
"ThePeacock?" repeated Tom. "Why should we follow her?"
"Your brother is on board." And having spoken thus, the lumberman sank again into semi-unconsciousness.
"Can he be telling the truth, or is he out of his head?" questionedSam.
"I'm sure I don't know, Sam."
"Perhaps we had better look around for the schooner he mentioned."
"All right, I'll do so. You stay here with Aleck."
"Hadn't I better go with you?"
"No, I'll keep my eyes open," concluded Tom, and hurried away.
It was now dawn, and the early workers were just getting to their employment. Soon Tom met a couple of watchmen and hailed them.
"I am looking for the schoonerPeacock," said he. "Do you know anything of the craft?"
"Sure, an' that's Gus Langless' boat," said one of the watchmen. "She's lying at the end of Bassoon's wharf, over yonder."
"Thank you," and Tom started away.
The wharf mentioned was a long one, and it took some time for the youth to reach the outer end. As he ran he saw a boat in the distance, moving away with all sails set. Of course he could not make out her name, but he saw that she was schooner-rigged, and felt certain she must be the craft for which he was searching.
At the end of the pier he met a dock hand, who had been resting in a nearby shed.
"Is that boat thePeacock?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know anything of the people on board?"
"I do not."
"Has she a cargo?"
"I believe not."
"You didn't see anybody going on her?"
"Hold up! Yes, I did; a young fellow and a man."
"Was the young man in a feeble state?"
"He seemed to be."
"Thank you."
Tom turned away with something of a groan. "Dick must be on board of that craft, along with the Baxters. Oh, what luck we are having! Now what ought I to do next?"
His wisest move would have been to have informed the authorities, but Tom was too much upset mentally to think of that. With all speed he returned to theSwallow.
"ThePeacockhas sailed!" he cried. "We must follow her!"
"You are certain?" queried Sam.
"Yes, I saw her in the distance. Come, let us get after her before it is too late."
As Luke Peterson was now doing fairly well, all of the others ran on deck, and soon theSwallowwas in pursuit of the schooner. At first but little could be seen of thePeacock, but when the sun came up they saw her plainly, heading toward the northwest.
"We must keep her in sight," said Tom.
"Yes, but supposing the Baxters are on board, how can we capture them?" came from Sam. "We are but three, or four at the most, counting Peterson, while that craft must carry a crew of five or six."
"We can hail some other boat to help us. The main thing is not to lose track of the rascals."
The breeze was all that could be desired, and once the shore was left behind they kept thePeacockin sight with ease. But, try their best, they gained but little on the larger boat.
As there was now nothing to do but to let the yacht do her best, Tom left Sam at the wheel and turned his attention to Peterson. The lumberman was now able to sit up, although very weak.
"I discovered Arnold Baxter and tracked him to the schooner's dock," he said. "His son came to the dock, and from what they said I am sure your brother is on the craft. Then they discovered me, and the father struck me down with the butt of a pistol he carried. After that all was a blank until I found myself here."
"You can be thankful you weren't killed."
"I suppose so. I shall not rest until that villain is brought to justice. But what are ye up to now, lad?"
"We are in pursuit of thePeacock."
"On the lake or up the river?"
"On the lake."
"Can you keep her in sight?"
"So far we seem to be holding our own."
"Good! I'd go on deck and help ye, but I feel kind o' strange-like in the legs."
"Better keep quiet for the present. We may need you later on."
"Got any firearms on board?"
"Yes, a gun and two pistols."
"Ye may want 'em afore ye git through with that crowd. They are bad ones."
"We know them thoroughly, Mr. Peterson. We have been acquainted with them for years." And then Tom told of how Dan Baxter had been the bully at Putnam Hall, and how he had run away to join his rascally father, and of how Arnold Baxter had been Mr. Rover's enemy since the days of early mining in the West.
"O' course they are carrying off your brother fer a purpose," said the lumberman. "Like as not they'll try to hit your father through him."
"I presume that is the game."
The morning wore away slowly, but as the sun mounted higher the breeze gradually died down.
ThePeacockwas the first to feel the going down of the wind, and slowly, but surely, theSwallowcrept closer to the schooner.
But at last both vessels came to a standstill, about quarter of a mile apart.
"Now what's to do?" questioned Sam dismally.
"I reckon we can whistle for a breeze," returned his brother.
"Whistling won't do us any good. I've been wondering if we could not do some rowing in the small boat."
"Hurrah! just the thing!"
There was a small rowboat stored away on board theSwallow, and this was now brought forth, along with two pairs of oars.
"Gwine ter row ober, eh?" observed Aleck Pop. "Racken you dun bettah been careful wot youse do."
"We shall go armed," answered Tom.
The boys soon had the rowboat floating on the lake, and they leaped in, each with a pair of oars, and with a pistol stowed away in his pocket.
From the start those on board of thePeacockhad been afraid that the yacht was following them, and now they were certain of it.
"Two boys putting off in a rowboat," announced Captain Langless.
"They are Tom and Sam Rover," answered Arnold Baxter, after a brief survey through a marine glass.
"How did they get to know enough to follow this craft?"
"I'm sure I don't know. But those Rover boys are slick, and always were."
"What will you do when they come up?"
"Warn them off."
"I've got an idea, dad," came from Dan.
"Well?"
"Why not get out of sight and let Captain Langless invite them on board, to look for Dick. Then we can bag them and put them with Dick."
"By Jove, that is a scheme!" exclaimed the rascally parent. "Langless, will you do it? Of course, we'll have to get out of sight until the proper moment arrives."
"But if you bag 'em, what of those left on theSwallow?" questioned the captain.
"There is only one man, a negro. He doesn't amount to anything."
"There may be more—one or two officers of the law."
Arnold Baxter used his glass again. "I see nobody but the darky. If there were officers at hand, I am sure they would have come along in that rowboat."
"I guess you are right about that."
"If we capture the boys the darky won't dare to follow us alone, and it may be that we can capture him, too," went on Arnold Baxter.
By this time the rowboat was drawing closer, and Arnold Baxter and Dan stepped out of sight behind the forecastle of the schooner.
A few additional words passed between Captain Langless and the Baxters, and then the owner of thePeacockawaited the coming of our friends, who were now almost alongside, never suspecting the trap which was set for them.
"Do you see anything of the Baxters?" asked Sam, when the rowboat was within a hundred feet of the schooner.
"I thought I did before, but I don't see them now," answered Tom.
"Rowboat, ahoy!" shouted Captain Langless. "What brings you?"
"I reckon you know well enough," Tom shouted back. "We are after DickRover."
"Dick Rover? Who is he?"
"Your prisoner."
"Our prisoner?" The owner of thePeacockput on a look of surprise. "Really, you are talking in riddles."
"I don't think so. Where are Arnold Baxter and his son Dan?"
"Don't know anybody by that name."
"They went on board of your boat," put in Sam.
"You must be mistaken." Captain Langless turned to his mate. "Find any stowaways on board?"
"Nary a one," was the mate's answer. "And just came up from the hold, too."
This talk perplexed Tom and Sam not a little.
Was it possible Luke Peterson had made some mistake?
"We have it on pretty good authority that the Baxters are on board of your boat, and that Dick Rover is aboard, too," said Sam.
"It's all a riddle to me," answered Captain Langless. "We are not in the business of carrying prisoners. We are bound for Sandusky for a cargo of flour."
This talk completely nonplused the boys, and they held a whispered consultation.
"I don't believe him," said Sam.
"No more do I. But what shall we do about it?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
"You can come on board and look around, if you wish," called out the owner of the schooner. "I want you to satisfy yourself that you are mistaken."
"Shall we go?" whispered Tom. "It may be a trap?"
"He seems honest enough."
"Supposing I go and you stay in the rowboat? Then, if anything happens, you can call on Aleck and Peterson for help."
So it was arranged, and in a minute more Tom was climbing up the ladder which had been thrown over thePeacock'sside.
"Is the other young fellow coming?" asked the captain, who did not fancy this move.
"No."
The captain scowled, but said no more.
Once on deck Tom looked around him curiously, and then moved toward the companion way leading to the cabin. He felt instinctively that he was in a dangerous position. As he crossed the deck several ill-appearing sailors gazed at him curiously, but said nothing—being under strict orders from the captain to remain silent in the presence of the stranger.
The cabin of thePeacockwas a small affair, considering the general size of the schooner, and contained but little in the shape of furniture.
Dick had been removed long before, so the apartment was empty of human occupants when Tom entered.
"Nobody here," he murmured, as he gazed around. "What foolishness to come, anyway! The Baxters could easily hide on me, if they wanted to."
He was about to leave the cabin when a form darkened the companion way, and Arnold Baxter appeared.
"Silence!" commanded the man, and pointed a pistol at Tom's head.
The sight of the rascal startled the youth and the look on Baxter's face caused him to shiver.
"So you are here, after all," he managed tosay.
"Silence!" repeated Arnold Baxter, "unless you want to be shot."
"Where is my brother Dick?"
Before Arnold Baxter could reply Dan put in an appearance, carrying a pair of handcuffs.
"Now, we'll get square with you, Tom Rover," said the bully harshly.
"What do you intend to do?"
"Make you a prisoner. Hold out your hands."
"And if I refuse?"
"You won't refuse," put in Arnold Baxter, and, lowering his pistol, he leaped behind Tom and caught him by the arms. At the same time Dan attacked the lad in front and poor Tom was soon handcuffed. Then he was led out of the cabin by a rear way, a door was opened, and he was thrust into the blackness of the hold. But ere this was accomplished he let out one long, loud cry for help which reached Sam's ears quite plainly.
"Hi! what are you doing to my brother?" ejaculated the younger Rover.He had brought the rowboat close up alongside the schooner.
"I don't know what's up," answered the mate of thePeacock."Better come aboard and see."
"He has fallen down the hatchway!" cried Captain Langless. "Poor chap! he's hurt himself quite badly." And he disappeared, as if going to Tom's assistance.
If Sam had been in a quandary before, he was doubly so now. Had Tom really fallen, or had he been attacked?
"I can't leave him alone," he thought, and without further hesitation leaped up the side of the schooner with the agility of a cat.
It was a fatal movement, for scarcely had he reached the deck when he was pounced upon by Captain Langless and held fast until Arnold Baxter appeared.
"Let me go!" cried Sam, but his protest proved of no avail. A lively scuffle followed, but the lad was no match for the men, and in the end he found himself handcuffed and thrown into the hold beside Tom.
"Tie the rowboat fast to the stern," ordered Arnold Baxter, and this was done.
The going down of the wind was only temporary, and now a slight breeze sprang up.
"We are in luck!" said the captain of the schooner.
"We must keep away from the yacht," returned Arnold Baxter.
Soon the schooner's sails were filling and she continued on her course, dragging the small boat behind her. Aleck Pop saw the movement and grew much perplexed.
"Dat don't look right to me, nohow!" he muttered. "'Pears lak da was bein' tuk along sumway!"
Aleck was not much of a sailor, but he had been out enough to know how to handle the yacht under ordinary circumstances, and now he did his best to follow thePeacock.
With the glass he watched eagerly for the reappearance of Sam and Tom, and his face became a study when fully half an hour passed and they failed to show themselves.
"Da is in trouble, suah!" he told himself. "Now wot's dis yeah niggah to do?"
He lashed the wheel fast and sought advice from Luke Peterson, who was feeling stronger every minute. The burly lumberman shook his head dubiously.
"In trouble for certain," was his comment. "Didn't hear any pistol shots, did ye?"
"Didn't heah nuffin, sah."
"They wouldn't remain on board of that craft of their own free will."
"Don't specs da would, sah. De question is, sah: wot's to do?" AndAleck scratched his woolly head thoughtfully.
"I don't know, excepting to keep the schooner in sight, if possible, and see if something doesn't turn up. If you sight a steamer or a steam tug let me know, and I'll try to get help."
So it was arranged, and Aleck returned to the wheel. TheSwallowwas going along smoothly, and he did what he could to make the sails draw as much as possible. Peterson now discovered the medicine chest of the yacht, and from this got another dose of liquor, which afforded him the temporary strength of which he was in so much need.
The coming of night found the two vessels far out upon the waters of Lake Erie and nearly half a mile apart. Peterson now came on deck, to keep an eye on things while Aleck prepared supper. It promised to remain clear, but, as there would be no moon, Peterson was afraid that they would lose sight of thePeacockin the gathering darkness.
Supper was soon served, the lumberman eating first, and then Aleck cleared away the few dishes and tidied up generally. The colored man was much downcast.
"Fust it was Dick, an' now it am de whole t'ree of 'em," he remarked."I'se afraid dar is gwine ter be a bad endin' to dis yeah trip."
"We will have to take what comes," answered Peterson. "But I have taken a fancy to those boys, and I'll stick by you to the end."
Slowly the darkness of night settled over the waters of the lake, and with the going down of the sun the stars came forth, one after another. During the last few hours several sail had been seen at a distance, but none had come close enough to be hailed.
"We are going to lose her in the darkness, after all," announced the lumberman, at about eight o'clock. "It's hard for me to see her, even now."
Half an hour later thePeacockdisappeared in the gloom, and the chase, for the time being, came to an end.
"Sam, is that you?"
"Yes."
"We are trapped!"
"It looks like it—or rather feels like it. I can't see a thing."
"Nor I. Did you find out anything about Dick?"
"No."
A groan came from the opposite end of the hold.
"Here I am. How in the world did you get here?"
"Dick, after all!" ejaculated Tom, and there was a slight trace of joy in his tone. "Are you O. K., old man?"
"Hardly. They dosed me with drugs until my mind is topsy-turvy."
"I'm glad you are alive," came from Sam. "Where are you?"
"Here, lying on a couple of boxes. Look out how you move about, or you may hurt yourselves."
Handcuffed as they were, Tom and Sam felt their way along through the dark hold until they reached their elder brother's side. They grasped his hands warmly.
"I'm glad we are together again, even if we are prisoners," remarkedTom, and this was his younger brother's sentiment, too.
"How did you get here?" asked Dick, and each told his story from beginning to end, and then the elder Rover had to relate his own adventures.
"I knew that old doctor wasn't telling the truth," burst out Tom. "Oh, but won't we have an account to settle with all of those chaps, if ever we get out of this scrape."
"Don't let us hurrah until we are out of the woods," added Dick soberly. "We are in the hands of a desperate gang, to my way of reasoning."
"The Baxters are certainly bad enough."
"And any boat captain who would go into this game with them is probably just as bad. Whom did you leave on the yacht?"
"Aleck, and the lumberman who was on the raft with you."
"I wonder if they will follow this schooner?"
No one could answer this question, and for several minutes there was a silence. During that time they heard heavy footsteps cross and recross the deck, but that was all. Presently the schooner began to rock slightly.
"The wind is coming up," said Tom. "We are moving ahead again."
"That's bad for us—if the schooner manages to run away from the yacht," rejoined Dick.
Soon the motion of thePeacockshowed that the schooner was bowling along rapidly. They heard the creaking of tackle as additional sails were hoisted, and felt certain that the craft was making the best run at her command.
The hold had not been opened up for a long time, consequently the air was foul as well as stifling from the heat.
"I'd give something for some fresh air," said Sam. "How is it with you,Dick?"
"I want fresh air and a drink of water. I am as dry as a bale of cotton."
"Haven't they given you anything since you came on board?" asked Tom.
"Not a thing."
"The inhuman wretches! Oh, I wish I had Dan Baxter here—I'd punch his head good for him."
"Ditto the head of his rascally father," returned Dick. "I would like to know just where they intend to take me—or rather all of us, now. They certainly can't expect to keep us on board this craft."
"Perhaps they'll ship us to Canada."
"Hardly, since they couldn't land on the Canadian shore without an inspection of the vessel."
"They have some plan up their sleeve, that's certain."
Slowly the hours wore away, until all sounds on deck ceased, and they knew it must be well along in the night. Still the schooner kept on her course.
All of the boys had been working at their bonds, but without success. They wished they had a light, but neither Sam nor Tom had a match, and Dick's pockets were entirely bare. Tom and Sam were likewise minus their pistols, Arnold Baxter having taken the weapons away before placing them in the hold.
The night proved to be a truly horrible one for the boys, for the hold was overrun with rats, who became altogether too familiar. At first one of the pests ran over Tom's legs.
"A rat!" he cried. "Hi, scat!" And the frisky rodent scampered off, but speedily returned, followed by several others. After that they had a lively time of it for half an hour, when the rats left them as suddenly as they had appeared.
The storm, and their various adventures, had tired the boys out, and soon, in spite of the surroundings, one after another fell into a light doze. The sleep did all of them good, especially Dick, who declared on awakening that he felt almost as well as ever.
"Only I'm as hungry as a bear," he added.
"Ditto myself," came from Tom. "I move we try to break out of this dingy hole."
"All right; but where shall we break to?" put in Sam. "I can't see much more than I could last night."
The matter was talked over, and presently they scattered, to feel along the ribbed walls of the hold.
For a long time nobody felt anything of importance, but at last Sam let out a soft cry:
"I've found something of a door!"
"Good for you," answered Tom. "Can you open it?"
"No, there seems to be a bar or something on the other side."
The others rejoined the youngest Rover, and made out the door quite plainly, for there was a broad crack at the top and at the side opposite the hinges. There was a bar, true enough.
"If we had something that we could slip into that crack, we might move the bar," observed Dick.
"I slipped on a sheet of tin a while ago," said Tom. "Perhaps I can find that."
His hunt was successful, and soon they had the tin in the crack under the bar. The latter gave way with ease, and then they pulled the door open. Beyond was the passageway leading to the cabin.
"Now what's the next movement?" whispered Sam.
"Let us try to arm ourselves first of all," answered Dick. "Then, if we are cornered again, we may be able to make some kind of favorable terms."
He tiptoed his way into the cabin and found it deserted. On the table rested the remains of a breakfast served to several people, and he picked up half a loaf of bread and put it in the pocket of his jacket. Several boiled eggs followed.
On one of the walls of the cabin hung two old-fashioned swords and a brace of pistols. Without hesitation he took all of the weapons and returned with them to his brothers.
"Here are pistols and swords, and something to eat," he said. "There seems to be nobody around, so you can come into the cabin, if you wish."
All entered the compartment. Both water and a little coffee were handy, and they made a hasty repast. While eating, Tom hunted around the room and also looked into an adjoining stateroom. In the latter place he found a bunch of keys on a nail.
"If only one of 'em fits these handcuffs," he murmured, and they tried the keys without delay. One did fit, and in a few seconds they were free of their fetters.
"Now 'lay on, MacDuff!'" quoted Tom, as he swung aloft one of the swords. "We'll give them a warm reception, eh?"
"We'll do nothing of the kind," replied Dick hastily. "In this case silence is the better part of valor. We'll lay low until the time comes to make a move."
"What, do you mean to go back to the hold?" asked Sam.
"We may as well, for the present. It is broad daylight now. Perhaps we can escape at night."
"Do you suppose they took our rowboat along?" came from Tom.
"I shouldn't wonder. We can—— Hist! somebody is coming!"
Dick was right; Captain Langless was descending the companion way. On tiptoes the three boys hurried to the door leading to the hold. As they flung it back they found themselves confronted by Arnold Baxter and Dan.
The sudden turn of affairs chagrined the Rover boys greatly, and for the moment none of them knew what to say.
Arnold Baxter and Dan grinned at the trio sarcastically, and the bully was the first to break the silence.
"Didn't get away that time, did you?" he sneered.
"Ha! so they are here!" came from Captain Langless, who had just stepped into the cabin. "And without the handcuffs, too."
"Let us alone," cried Tom hotly. "If you touch me again, I'll shoot somebody." And so speaking, he raised one of the pistols taken from the cabin wall.
His aim was at Dan, and the bully fell back with a cry of terror, for, as old readers know, Dan was a coward at heart.
"Don't—don't shoot!" he faltered. "Don't!"
"My pistols!" burst out the captain of thePeacock, in a rage."Hand those weapons over to me, do you hear?"
He took several steps forward, when Dick brought him to a halt by raising one of the swords.
It was a dramatic scene, of intense interest to all concerned. Arnold Baxter gazed at the armed youths in alarm, and Captain Langless grated his teeth.
"This is foolishness," said the owner of the schooner, after a painful pause. "If you try to fight you'll only get into worse trouble. We are, all told, ten to three, and the best thing you can do is to throw down those arms and submit."
"We won't submit," came from Sam, with a boldness which was astonishing in one of his years. His stirring adventures in Africa and in the West accounted for much of this valor.
"We are not going to remain on this vessel," said Dick. "And if you try to detain us further somebody will get hurt."
"You scamp!" fumed Arnold Baxter, and looked at the elder Rover as if to annihilate him with a glance. But Dick remained undaunted, and gradually Arnold Baxter fell back a few steps.
It must be confessed that the Rover boys felt far from comfortable. Here were two of the enemy on one side and one on the other, cutting off their escape in both directions. More than this, Captain Langless now raised his voice, and presently several rough-looking sailors came rushing into the cabin.
"Leave the hold," cried the owner of the schooner to the Baxters. "I reckon I know how to manage 'em."
Arnold Baxter understood, and at once took his son by the arm. The pair had come down into the hold by means of a ladder lowered through the forward hatchway. Now they ran for the ladder, mounted, and drew it up after them. Then the hatch was closed down as before.
In the meantime Captain Langless whispered to one of his sailors, and the tar ran to one of the staterooms and returned with an old-fashioned seven-shooter, fully a foot and a half long.
"Now get back there," ordered the owner of the schooner. "I won't have any more fooling."
"If you shoot, so will I," said Tom quickly.
"And so will I," added Sam.
"We had better have no bloodshed," continued the captain, trying to control himself. "Behave yourselves, and you'll be treated all right. Kick up a muss, and it will go hard with you."
"What do you intend to do with us?" questioned Dick curiously.
"You'll have to ask your friend Arnold Baxter about that."
"He is no friend of ours!" cried Tom. "He is our worst enemy—and you know it."
"If you behave yourself I'll see to it that no harm befalls you," continued Captain Langless. "I'm sorry I mixed up in this affair, but now I am in it I'm going to see it through."
"You are carrying us off against our will."
The owner of thePeacockshrugged his shoulders.
"You'll have to talk that over with Baxter and his son."
"You've been starving us."
"We were just going to furnish you with breakfast and a small keg of water."
"We don't want to stay in that foul-smelling hold," put in Sam. "It is enough to make a fellow sick."
"If you'll promise to behave yourselves, we may let you on deck part of the time."
"You'd better," grumbled Tom. He hardly knew what to say, and his brothers were in an equal quandary.
"Come, throw down your arms and we'll give you breakfast here in the cabin," continued Captain Langless. "You won't find me such a bad chap to deal with, when once you know me. You look like decent sort of fellows, and if you do the right thing I'll promise to see to it that the Baxters do the square thing, too. We'll be better off on a friendly footing than otherwise."
The owner of thePeacockspoke earnestly, and it must be admitted that he meant a large part of what he said. The manliness of the Rover boys pleased him, and he could not help but contrast it with the cowardice of the bully, Dan. Perhaps, too, behind it all, he was a bit sick of the job he had undertaken. He knew that he had virtually helped to kidnap the boys, and, if caught, this would mean a long term of imprisonment.
Dick looked at his two brothers, wondering what they would have to say. He realized that, after all, they were in a hopeless minority and were bound to lose in a hand-to-hand struggle.
"We may as well try them," he whispered. "If we fight, one of us may get killed."
They talked among themselves for several minutes, and then Dick turned to the captain.
"We'll submit for the present," he said. "But, mind you, we expect to be treated like gentlemen."
"And you will be treated as such," answered Captain Langless, glad that there would be no struggle. "Come into the cabin and stack those weapons in the corner. They were never meant for anything but wall decorations," and he laughed somewhat nervously.
The three lads entered the cabin and put down the weapons. They kept their eyes on the captain and his men, but there was no move to molest them.
"You can go," said Captain Langless to the sailors. "And, Wilson, send the cook here for orders."
The sailors departed, and with something of a grim smile on his furrowed face the owner of thePeacockdropped into a seat near the companionway door. He had just started to speak again when there was a noise outside and Arnold Baxter appeared.
"Have you subdued the rascals?" he questioned hastily.
"Reckon I have," was the slow answer, "Leas'wise, they have thrown down their weapons."
"Then why don't you handcuff them again, the rats!"
"We are no rats, and I'll trouble you to be civil," returned Dick firmly.
"Ha! I'll show you!" howled Arnold Baxter, and would have rushed atDick had not the captain interposed.
"Hold on, sir," were the words of the ship's owner. "We have called a truce. They have promised to behave themselves if we treat them squarely, and so there are to be no more back-bitings."
"But—er—" Arnold Baxter was so astonished he could scarcely speak."You are not going to put them in the hold?"
"Not for the present."
"They will run away."
"How can they, when we are out of sight of land?"
"They ought to be chained down."
"Supposing you let me be the judge of that, Mr. Baxter. I promised to do certain things for you. If I do them, you'll have no cause to complain."
"Have you decided to take these boys' part?" ejaculated Arnold Baxter, turning pale.
"I have made up my mind that treating them like beasts won't do any good."
"They don't deserve it."
"Don't deserve what?"
"To be well treated. They are—are—"
"Young gentlemen," finished Tom. "The captain knows gentlemen when he sees them, even if you don't."
"Don't talk to me, Tom Rover."
"I will talk whenever I please. I am not your slave."
"But you are in my power, don't forget that."
At this moment the cook of the schooner appeared.
"What's wanted?" he asked of the captain.
"Bring some breakfast for these three young gentlemen," said Captain Langless. "Some fresh coffee and bread and some fried eggs and potatoes."
At this order Arnold Baxter stood fairly aghast. "You are going to let them dine here?" he gasped.
"I am."
"But—but you must be crazy. They will—er—think they are running the ship!"
"No, they won't. Leave them to me, and I'm sure we will get along all right. Come, let us go on deck."
"What! and leave them alone?"
"I will send a man down to see that they don't get into mischief."
"But I don't like this turn of affairs," stammered Arnold Baxter. He was half afraid the captain was going back on him.
"It's all right; come," answered the owner of thePeacock; and a moment later both men quitted the cabin.