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Updated: June 13, 2025
"Come on after him!" cried Sam, and away he and Fred went after Baxter, leaving the others to take charge of Flapp, and round up the horse thieves and Sculley. But Dan Baxter knew what capture meant a long term of imprisonment in the future and, possibly, a good drubbing from the Rovers on the spot and he therefore redoubled his efforts to escape.
If that place got too hot to hold them they could move further down the river during the nights to follow. The man on the launch was called up and matters were explained to him by Pick Loring. "Sculley is a good fellow," said Loring to Baxter. "He will do whatever I say and take whatever I give him, and keep his mouth shut." "That's the kind of a follower to have," was Baxter's answer.
As speedily as possible, messages were sent to the Lanings and to Mrs. Stanhope, carrying the news of the girls' safety and the recovery of the missing houseboat. After that Paul Livingstone saw to it that Pick Loring, Hamp Gouch, and their accomplice, Sculley, were turned over to the proper authorities.
"The girls are gone," said Baxter. "They must have skipped in that rowboat." "We can soon fix 'em," muttered Loring. "We'll get Sculley to go after them." The launch ahead was signaled and soon came up alongside. "What's wanted now?" "Take me aboard and I'll tell you," answered Baxter, and he and Pick Loring boarded the launch.
"It was Dan Baxter led me into it," he groaned. "It was all his doings, not mine." When Loring, Gouch, and Sculley were confronted by the party the intoxicated evil-doers were in no condition to offer any resistance. Roundly did they bewail their luck, but this availed them nothing, and without ceremony they were made prisoners, their hands being tied behind them with stout ropes.
"Didn't you say you wanted somebody to tow you down the river?" asked the fellow addressed as Pick. "I did, but " "Well, Cap'n Sculley of the Firefly has taken the job. He'll take you wherever you please, and at your own price. You can't ask for more than that, can you?" "No, but " "I haven't got time to talk, kid with' that other launch coming after us.
"You start to do the towing, and be quick about it. Hamp, get on board at once! Remember, Sculley, you ain't seen or heard of us, understand?" "All right, Pick." The gasolene launch came close once more, and the fellow called Hamp leaped on board. He carried a rifle and was evidently a desperate character. "See here, I don't understand your game?" began Baxter.
"Look how Gouch blabbed to that old man last night." "Where are they now?" "In the captain's stateroom opening a new bottle of liquor. Neither of them can stand up straight." "For two pins I'd pitch them overboard. Where is Sculley?" "He is with them, drinking hard, too." "If we only knew how to run that launch we could leave them behind and sail out of here."
"Let me go!" she said, and struck at him feebly. While this was going on Pick Loring came over and took hold of Nellie. "Tow us along, Sculley!" called the horse thief. "Get back to the houseboat as soon as you can." "What's the matter out there?" came in an unexpected call from the shore. The speaker could not be seen. "Help us!" shrieked Dora. "We are two girls and some men are carrying us off."
"What's doing up there, Pick?" called another man, from the launch. "Remember, we haven't got all night to waste here." "That other boat is coming!" cried a third man. "Boys, we are trapped as sure as guns!" "Not much we ain't," said the Kentuckian who had boarded the houseboat. "Sculley!" "What next, Pick?" "You've got a new job. This chap here wants somebody to tow him down the river." "Well?"
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