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Norton, I believe you have been with Captain Barforth a long time and that you and he are old chums." "That's right." "Then I can trust you, can't I? It is something which concerns Captain Barforth and this vessel very much." "Sure you can trust me."
But we can tell the captain. Here he comes now." "Good morning, boys," said the master of the steam yacht pleasantly. "What can you see over there?" "Something we think unusual," said Sam "Please take a look and tell us what it is." Captain Barforth did as requested. "That wire has no business there," he declared. "I don't know how it came there."
He hesitated, not knowing whether to go forward or back. Then he set up a yell on his own accord. "Captain Barforth! Mr. Rover! This way, quick!" he called at the top of his lungs. At first no answer came back, but presently he heard Tom's shrill whistle, and then a cry from Sam and Dick. The three Rover boys came down the path pell mell, and their father and the captain were not far behind them.
Captain Barforth had left the steam yacht in charge of the first mate and was on the companionway going below. With two bounds he was on deck and running toward the bow at top speed. "What was it? Have we a hole in the bow?" he questioned, of the frightened lookouts, who had been sent spinning across the slippery deck. "Couldn't make out, captain it was something black," said one lookout.
"What's the matter?" asked the would be post. "Oh, I'm a burnin' up on my inside!" answered the old tar, and gave a deep groan. "I want a doctor, I do!" Seeing Bahama Bill was really sick, Songbird went to his assistance and called Mr. Rover. Then Captain Barforth was consulted and he gave the man some medicine.
Then of a sudden there came a cloud of smoke from the deck of the steam yacht, followed by a stream of sparks which went whizzing just over the rowboats. Then followed more sparks, and balls of fire, red, white and blue. "What in the world are they doing?" murmured Captain Barforth. "They are shooting off something, but it is not a gun or a cannon," answered Mr. Rover. "Hurrah!
"Yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as Carey can win over. I believe Carey is a rascal and Bossermann is no better." "Yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said Captain Barforth. "No, three, for you must remember they have Wingate with them," put in Tom. "That is true." "Can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked Sam.
"The scoundrels!" vociferated Fred. "Talk it over with Merrick! We ought to put 'em, both in irons!" "I wanted to hear more, but they walked away and I was afraid to follow them," continued Dora. "I thought I had better tell you and perhaps you'd know what to do. I didn't want to worry mother or my aunt." "We ought to let Captain Barforth know of this at once," said Songbird.
"There is no immediate danger," said he. "We must have struck some sort of wreckage, or lumber float. There is a small hole in the bow, just above the water line, and several of the seams have been opened. Captain Barforth is having the hole closed up and has started up the donkey pump to keep the water low in the hold. He says he thinks we can make one of the nearby ports without great trouble."
If it was true that Carey, Bossermann and Wingate contemplated joining Sid Merrick there was no telling what the enemy might not accomplish next. "I have never liked Carey," observed Captain Barforth. "But I did not imagine he would take matters in his own hands in this fashion. I did not think he had the backbone." "It's the thought of the treasure has done it," answered Anderson Rover.
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