Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"I've got a plan to propose," he said slowly. "Do you want to listen or not?" "What sort of a plan?" asked both. "A plan to get you out of the clutches of Captain Langless and those Baxters," was the answer, which filled Tom and Sam with deep and sudden interest. "Are you willing to help us to get away?" cried Sam. "Under certain circumstances I am," replied the mate of the schooner.
"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.
Losing no time, Captain Langless had had his craft towed to a point fifteen miles beyond Port Huron, and had then let the tug go, and steered a course known only to those on board. The tug did not return to Port Huron until the next day, and its captain did not know how much the Peacock was wanted until twenty-four hours later.
"Dan, supposing Captain Langless doesn't come back," he exclaimed, loud enough for Dick and his companion to hear. "Doesn't come back!" ejaculated the bully. "Why, he's got to come back." "No, he hasn't." "But I don't understand " "You know well enough that the Rovers tried to bribe the captain." "Yes, but they ran away " "Perhaps it's only a bluff, Dan.
"Captain Langless didn't treat me square after you got away from me, and Andy Cadmus aint the tar to forget such a thing in a hurry." "What are your conditions?" asked Tom. "The conditions are two in number.
He had scarcely spoken when the report of a pistol rang out and a bullet cut through the air over his head. "Let that be a warning to you to leave us alone!" cried Captain Langless. Then the schooner increased her speed, the flare from the Bengal light died out, and soon the Peacock was lost to view in the darkness.
They sat down and watched until the darkness of night began to hide the Peacock from view. At last they saw Arnold Baxter come on deck, followed by Dan. The two entered a rowboat and a sailor took them ashore. They had scarcely landed when Captain Langless appeared, coming along a pathway but a few yards from where Dick and the lumberman were in hiding.
"I wish we could win Captain Langless over to our side," put in Sam suddenly, struck by the idea. "Do you suppose it could be done if we paid him well?" "I'd hate to buy him off," said Tom. "But it might be best," said Dick slowly. "We don't know what the Baxters may have in store for us." "It's pretty plain to me what they want to do.
Presently they heard the sails being lowered and an anchor go overboard. Then a boat put off from the Peacock, and for a while all became silent. "We must be close to some landing," was Tom's comment. "Perhaps it's the island old Baxter mentioned." Another half hour slipped by. Then the door to the cabin was opened, and both Baxters, Captain Langless, and the mate of the schooner appeared.
Then Captain Langless and the Baxters withdrew, talking earnestly. Tom and Sam could not catch the drift of the conversation, although they heard the words "by mail" and "we must get the cash" used several times. "They are bound to make money out of this affair, if they can," remarked Tom, when he and Sam were alone once more.
Word Of The Day