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Updated: June 7, 2025
It was a good hour before Arnold Baxter returned, lugging a fair-sized bundle, and followed by the mate of the Peacock with an even greater load. They had several blankets and a basket of provisions, and likewise a few cooking utensils. "Evidently out for a stay," muttered Tom, as he looked at the things. "They are for your use," was Captain Langless' grim reply.
"When we come in sight of the island we'll have to move with caution," went on the lumberman. "If we don't, Captain Langless may lay low and give us the slip in the dark." "Are there any other islands close to Needle Point?" "A dozen of them, and some with just as good hiding places, too. That's why the smugglers used to hang out in that locality.
"But you can't expect me to remain a prisoner here not if I can help myself." The candor of the youth compelled Captain Langless to laugh, and, taking out a knife, he cut the ropes which bound the lads' hands. "You won't need sticks, I am sure of it," he said. "Come, I will lead, and you" nodding to the Baxters "can bring up the rear."
They are going to hold us prisoners until father signs off his rights to that mining claim." "And if father won't sign off?" "Then they'll treat us pretty badly." "Perhaps they'll kill us." "We can sound Captain Langless it won't do any harm." "But you mustn't let the Baxters get an inkling of what is up."
The Baxters had heard that the boat was not much damaged, and thought that it might be possible to patch her up sufficiently to reach the mainland, and to do this ere Dick Rover and his party discovered them. For the Peacock and Langless Arnold Baxter now cared but little. "She has left the bay," he said to Dan, "and more than likely has abandoned us."
He had brought the rowboat close up alongside the schooner. "I don't know what's up," answered the mate of the Peacock. "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.
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.
"And whoever escapes can inform the authorities." On pushed the boys, striving as never before to gain the shore before the rowboat should come up to them. The small craft headed first for Tom, and presently it glided close to him. He promptly dove, but when he came up Captain Langless caught him by the hair.
"Say, why didn't you wake me up?" asked Sam in astonishment. "You didn't stay up all night, did you?" "Not much!" answered Tom, and spoke of the Canadian, whose name was Peglace. "Well, what's to do?" "I must confess I don't know. I suppose the Baxters and Captain Langless are on the search for us." "More than likely." "Then we had better lay low until some vessel comes to rescue us."
The boys took their time, yet the meal was finished inside of half an hour. They were just getting up from the table when Captain Langless reappeared. "Well, how did the breakfast suit?" he asked. "First-rate," returned Dick. "Now, if you don't mind, we would like to go on deck." "You may do so under one condition." "And that is ?" "That you will go below again when ordered by me."
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