THE ROVER BOYS ONLAND AND SEA
   or
The Crusoes of the Seven Islands

   by
Arthur M Winfield




CONTENTS

     I. The Rover Boys on San Francisco
    II. The Turning up of Dan Baxter
   III. A Discovery and What Followed
    IV. Good Times at Santa Barbara
     V. On Board the Yacht
    VI. Adrift on the Pacific Ocean
   VII. Dismaying News
  VIII. From One Ship to Another
    IX. In Which the Enemy Is Cornered
     X. A Blow in the Darkness
    XI. A Call from the Stern
   XII. Another Accident at Sea
  XIII. The Crusoes of Seven Islands
   XIV. Settling Down on the Island
    XV. Another Castaway Brought to Light
   XVI. Sam and the Shark
  XVII. Exploring the Seven Islands
 XVIII. Unexpected Visitors
   XIX. Hot Words and Blows
    XX. The Mate Tries to Take Command
   XXI. The Attack on the Wreck
  XXII. A Heavy Tropical Storm
 XXIII. What Happened on the Bay
  XXIV. In Close Quarters
   XXV. Trying to Come to Terms
  XXVI. The Cave on the Island
 XXVII. A fight with a Wild Beast
XXVIII. The Burning of the Wreck
   XXX. The Defense of the Cave--Saved!



INTRODUCTION.

MY DEAR BOYS: "The Rover Boys on Land and Sea," is a complete story
in itself, but forms the seventh volume of the "Rover Boys Series
for Young Americans."

As I mentioned in a previous volume of this series, when I began this
set of books I had in mind to write no more than three volumes,
relating the adventures of Dick, Tom, and Sam Rover, at home, at
school, and elsewhere. But the publication of "The Rover Boys at
School," "The Rover Boys on the Ocean," and "The Rover Boys in the
Jungle," immediately called for more stories of the same sort, so
year after year I have followed with "The Rover Boys out West," "The
Rover Boys on the Great Lakes," "The Rover Boys in the Mountains,"
and now the volume before you, which relates the adventures of the
three brothers, and some of their friends and enemies, on the sea
and on a number of far away islands, where, for a time, all lead a
sort of Robinson Crusoe life.

In writing this tale I had in mind not alone to please my young
readers, but also to give them a fair picture of life on the ocean
as it is to-day, in distinction to what it was years ago, and also
to acquaint the boys and girls with some of the beauties of those
mid-ocean lands which are generally, so strange to all of us. The
boys see much that is new, novel, and pleasing--new fruits, new
flowers, new animals--and have often to use their wits to the utmost,
to get themselves out of serious difficulty and also to make
themselves, and those under their protection, comfortable.

Once again I thank my young friends for the interest they have shown
in my previous stories. I trust that all who peruse this volume will
find it equally to their liking.

Affectionately and sincerely yours, ARTHUR M. WINFIELD.





THE ROVER BOYS ON LAND AND SEA




CHAPTER I

THE ROVER BOYS IN SAN FRANCISCO


"Well, Dick, here we are in San Francisco at last."

"Yes, Tom, and what a fine large city it is."

"We'll have to take care, or we'll get lost," came from a third boy,
the youngest of the party.

"Just listen to Sam!" cried Tom Rover. "Get lost! As if we weren't
in the habit of taking care of ourselves."

"Sam is joking," came from Dick Rover. "Still we might get lost here
as well as in New York or any other large city."

"Boston is the place to get lost in," said Tom Rover. "Got streets
that curve in all directions. But let us go on. Where is the hotel?"

"I'm sure I don't know," came from Sam Rover.

"Cab! carriage! coupe!" bawled a cabman standing near. "Take you
anywhere you want to go, gents."

"How much to take the three of us to the Oakland House?"

"Take you there for a dollar, trunks and all."

"I'll go you," answered Dick Rover. "Come on, I'll see that you get
the right trunks."

"I think we are going to have some good times while we are on the
Pacific coast," observed Tom Rover, while he and Sam were waiting
for Dick and the cabman to return.

"I shan't object to a good time," replied Sam. "That is what we came
for."

"Before we go back I am going to have a sail up and down the coast."

"To be sure, Tom. Perhaps we can sail down to Santa Barbara. That is
a sort of Asbury Park and Coney Island combined, so I have been told."

Dick Rover and the cabman soon returned. The trunks were piled on
the carriage and the boys got in, and away they bowled from the
station in the direction of the Oakland House.

It was about ten o'clock of a clear day in early spring. The boys
had reached San Francisco a few minutes before, taking in the sights
on the way. Now they sat up in the carriage taking in more sights,
as the turnout moved along first one street and then another.

As old readers of this series know, the Rover boys were three in
number, Dick being the oldest, fun-loving Tom next, and sturdy-hearted
Sam the youngest. They were the only offspring of Anderson Rover,
a former traveler and mine-owner, who, at present, was living with
his brother Randolph and his sister-in-law Martha, on their beautiful
farm at Valley Brook, in the heart of New York State.

During the past few years the Rover boys had had numerous adventures,
so many, in fact, that they can scarcely be hinted at here. While
their father was in the heart of Africa, their Uncle Randolph had
sent them off to Putnam Hall Academy. Here they had made many friends
among the boys and also among some folks living in the vicinity,
including Mrs. Stanhope and her daughter Dora, a girl who, according
to Dick Rover's idea, was the sweetest creature in the whole world.
They had also made some enemies, the worst of the number being Dan
Baxter, a fellow who had been the bully of the school, but who was
now a homeless wanderer on the face of the earth. Baxter came from
a disreputable family, his father having at one time tried to swindle
Mr. Rover out of a rich gold mine in the West. The elder Baxter was
now in prison suffering the penalty for various crimes.

A term at school had been followed by an exciting chase on the ocean,
and then by a trip through the jungle of Africa, whence the Rover
boys had gone to find their long-lost father. After this the boys
made a trip West to establish their parent's claim to the gold mine
just mentioned, and this was followed by a grand trip on the Great
Lakes in which the boys suffered not a little at the hands of the
Baxters. On an island on one of the lakes the Rover boys found a
curious casket and this, on being opened, proved to contain some
directions for locating a treasure secreted in the heart of the
Adirondack Mountains.

"We must locate that treasure," said Tom Rover, and off they started
for the mountains, and did locate it at last, but not before Dan
Baxter had done everything in his power to locate it ahead of them.
When they finally outwitted their enemy, Dan Baxter had disappeared,
and that was the last they had seen of him for some time.

The Rover boys had expected to return to Putnam Hall and their studies
immediately after the winter outing in the Adirondacks, but an
unexpected happening at the institution of learning made them change
their plans. Three pupils were taken down with scarlet fever, and
rather than run the risk of having more taken sick, Captain Victor
Putnam had closed up the Academy for the time being, and sent the
pupils to their homes.

"The boys will have to go to some other school," their Aunt Martha
had said, but one and another had murmured at this, for they loved
Captain Putnam too well to desert him so quickly.

"Let us wait a few months," had been Dick's suggestion.

"Let us study at home," had come from Sam.

"Let us travel," Tom had put in. "Travel broadens the mind." He loved
to be "on the go" all the time.

The matter was talked over for several days, and Tom begged that they
might take a trip across the continent and back, using some of the
money derived from the old treasure. At last Anderson Rover consented;
and two days later the three boys were off, going by way of New York
City, on the Chicago Limited. They had spent two days in the great
city by the lakes, and then come direct to the Golden Gate city.

"I wonder if we will meet anybody we know while we are out here,"
said Tom, as the carriage continued on its way.

"If we get down to Santa Barbara I think we'll meet somebody," answered
Dick, and he blushed just a trifle. "I got a letter in Chicago, as
you know. It was from Dora Stanhope, and she said that she and her
mother were traveling again and expected to go either to Santa Barbara
or Los Angeles. Her mother is not well again, and the doctor thought
the air on the Pacific coast might benefit her."

"Oh, my, but won't Dick have an elegant time, if he falls in with
Dora!" cried Sam. "Tom, we won't be in it."

"Now don't you start to tease me," returned Dick, his face redder
than ever. "I guess Dora always gave you a good time, too."

"That's right, she did," said Tom. And then he added: "Did she say
anything about the Lanings?" For the Laning girls, Nellie and Grace,
were cousins to Dora Stanhope, and Tom and Sam thought almost as much
of them as Dick did of Dora.

"To be sure she did," replied Dick. "But I guess it's--well, it's a
secret."

"A secret!" shouted Sam. "Not much, Dick! Let us in on it at once!"

"Yes, do!" put in Tom.

"But it may prove a disappointment."

"We'll chance it," returned Tom.

"Well then, Dora wrote that if she and her mother could find a nice
cottage at Los Angeles or Santa Barbara they were going to invite
Nellie and Grace to come out and keep house with them for six months
or so."

"Hurrah!" cried Sam enthusiastically. "I hope they come. If they do,
won't the six of us just have boss times!" And his face glowed with
anticipation.

"We can certainly have good times if Mrs. Stanhope's health will
permit," said Dick. "Here we are at the hotel."

He uttered the last words as the carriage came to a stop at the curb.
He leaped out and so did the others; and a few minutes later found
them safe and sound in the hotel. They were assigned to a large room
on the third floor, and hither they made their way, followed by their
trunks, and then began to wash and dress up, preparatory to going
down to the dining room, for the journeying around since breakfast
had made them hungry.

"I think I am going to like San Francisco," said Tom, as he was
adjusting a fresh collar and gazing out of the window at the same
time. "Everything looks so bright and clean."

"They have some pretty tall buildings here, the same as in Chicago
and New York," came from Dick, as he, too, gazed out of the window.

"Oh, all the big cities are a good deal alike," put in Sam, who was
drying his face on a towel.

"San Francisco is a mighty rich place," continued Tom. "They are too
rich even to use pennies. It's five cents here, or a bit there, or
two bits for this and two bits for that. I never heard a quarter
called two bits in New York."

"I've been told that is a Southern expression, and one used in the
West Indies," said Dick. "The early Californians--My gracious!"

Dick broke off short and leaned far out of the window, which they
had opened to let in the fresh spring air.

"What's up?" queried Tom. "Don't fall out." And he caught his elder
brother by the arm.

"I must have been mistaken. But it did look like him," said Dick slowly.

"Look like whom?" asked Sam, joining the pair.

"Dan Baxter."

"Dan Baxter! Here?" shouted the others.

"I am pretty sure it was Dan Baxter."

"Where is he?" asked Tom.

"He is gone now--he just disappeared around the hotel corner."

"Well, if it really was Dan Baxter, we want to keep our eyes open,"
was Sam's comment.




CHAPTER II

THE TURNING UP OF DAN BAXTER


The boys were very curious concerning their old enemy, and on going
below took a walk around several squares in the vicinity, in the hope
of meeting the individual who had attracted Dick's attention.

But the search proved unsuccessful, and they returned to the hotel
and went to dinner, with a larger appetite than ever.

"It would be queer if we met Dan Baxter out here," said Tom, while
they were eating. "He seems to get on our heels, no matter where we go.

"If he came to San Francisco first, he'll think we have been following
him up," said Sam.

"He must have come here before we did," said Dick. "Our arrival
dates back but three hours," and he grinned.

The meal over the boys took it easy for a couple of hours, and then
prepared to go out and visit half a dozen points of interest and also
purchase tickets for a performance at one of the leading theaters in
the evening.

As they crossed the lobby of the hotel they almost ran into a big,
burly young fellow who was coming in the opposite direction.

"Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Dick. "Then I was right after all."

The burly young fellow stared first at Dick and then the others in
blank amazement. He carried a dress-suit case, and this dropped from
his hand to the floor.

"Whe--where did yo--you come from?" he stammered at last.

"I guess we can ask the same question," said Tom coldly.

"Been following me, have you?" sneered Dan Baxter, making an effort
to recover his self-possession.

"No, we haven't been following you," said Sam.

"Supposing you tell us how it happens that you are here?"

"Suppose you tell us how it happens that you are here," came from Dick.

"That is my business."

"Our business is our own, too, Dan Baxter."

"You followed me," growled the big bully, his face darkening. "I know
you and don't you forget it."

"Why should we follow you?" said Tom. "We got the best of you over
that treasure in the Adirondacks."

"Oh, you needn't blow. Remember the old saying, 'He laughs best who
laughs last.' I aint done with you yet--not by a long shot."

"Well, let me warn you to keep your distance," said Dick sternly.
"If you don't, you'll regret it. We have been very easy with you in
the past, but if you go too far, I, for one, will be for putting you
where your father is, in prison."

"And I say the same," said Tom.

"Ditto here," came from Sam.

At these words a look of bitter hatred crossed Dan Baxter's face. He
clenched his fists and breathed hard.

"You can brag when you are three to one," he cried fiercely. "But
wait, that's all. My father would be a free man if it wasn't for you.
Wait, and see what I do!"

And so speaking he caught up his dress-suit case, swung around on
his heel, and left the hotel before anybody could stop him.

"He's the same old Baxter," said Tom, with a long sigh. "Always going
to square up."

"I think he is more vindictive than he used to be," observed Sam.
"When Dick spoke about his father being in prison he looked as if he
would like to strangle the lot of us."

"Well, I admit it would be rough on any ordinary boy to mention the
fact that his father was in prison," said Dick. "But we all know,
and Dan Baxter himself knows, that one is about as wicked as the
other. The only thing that makes Arnold Baxter's case worse is that
he is old enough to know better."

"So is Dan old enough to know better," was Tom's comment.

"I believe he was coming here to get accommodations," said Dick.

"If he was, that would tend to prove that he had just arrived in San
Francisco, Dick."

"True. But he may have been in this vicinity, perhaps in Oakland,
Alameda, or some other nearby town."

"What do you suppose could have brought him here?"

"That's a conundrum. Maybe he thought the East was getting too hot
to hold him."

"I wish we knew where he was going."

"Let us see if we can follow him up."

But to follow Dan Baxter up was out of the question, as they speedily
discovered when they stepped out on the sidewalk. People were hurrying
in all directions, and the bully had been completely swallowed up in
the crowd.

"We must watch out," said Dick. "Now he knows we are here he will
try to do us harm, mark my words."

The walk that afternoon proved full of interest, and in the evening
they went to see a performance of a light opera at the Columbia
Theater. The performance gave them a good deal of pleasure.

"Quarter past eleven!" exclaimed Dick, when they were coming away.
"That's the time we got our money's worth."

"I thought it must be late," said Tom. "I was getting hungry. Let us
get a bite of something before we go back to the hotel."

The others were willing, and they entered a nearby restaurant and
seated themselves at one of the tables. As they did this, a person
who had been following them stopped at the door to peer in after
them. The person was Dan Baxter.

"They are going to dine before retiring," he muttered to himself.
"The Old Nick take the luck! They have all the good times, while I
have only the bad!"

Dan Baxter had followed the boys from the hotel to the theater and
had also waited around for them to come out. He wanted to "square
up" with them, but had no definite plan of action, and was trusting
to luck for something to turn up in his favor.

He had drifted to the West for a double reason. The one was, as the
boys had surmised, because the East seemed to be getting too hot to
hold him. His second reason was that he hoped to get passage on some
vessel bound for Sydney, Australia. He had a distant relative in
Australia, and thought that if he could only see that relative
personally he might be able to get some money. He was nearly out of
funds, and so far the relative, although rich, had refused to send
any money by mail or express.

"They have everything they want, while I have nothing," he went on
savagely. "And they don't deserve it, either. Oh, how I wish I could
wring their necks for 'em!"

Suddenly an idea struck him and without waiting for the boys to come
out of the restaurant he hopped on board of a street car running in
the direction of the Oakland House. Entering the hotel office he
asked to look at the register.

"Room 324," he said to himself. "That is on the third floor, I suppose,
since they generally start a new hundred for every floor. Wonder if
I can get up without being noticed?"

He watched his chance, and slipping past the bell boys, made his way
up the stairs, which, on account of the elevators, were but little
used. In a few minutes he was in front of the door to Room 324. He
tried it cautiously, to find it locked.

"Now if only the keys will work," he muttered, breathing hard, and
taking a bunch of keys from his pocket he tried them, one after another.

He had tried four keys without success, when he saw a waiter approaching
with a trayful of good things for a late supper in a nearby apartment.
At once he moved away down the hallway and did not return until the
servant had disappeared from view.

He had five other keys and the third fitted the lock, although rather
crudely; so crudely in fact that once the lock bolt was turned the
key could not be withdrawn.

"That's bad," he thought. "But as it cannot be helped I'll have to
make the best of it. I mustn't stay here too long," and going into
the room he closed the door after him.

There was a faint light burning at one of the gas jets and this he
turned up, and pulled down the shades of the windows. Then he gazed
swiftly around the large room, noting the boys' trunks and traveling
bags and several articles of wearing apparel scattered about.

"Oh, if only I can find what I am after," he muttered. "But more than
likely they carry their money with them, or else they left it at the
hotel office."

All of the trunks and traveling bags were locked, and to force the
trunks open seemed at first impossible. One of the traveling bags
was slit open with a sharp pocket-knife the bully carried and the
contents emptied on one of the beds.

"Not much that I want," muttered Dan Baxter, as he gazed at the
collection. Then a jewel case caught his eye and he opened it. "A
diamond stud and a diamond scarf pin! Not so bad, after all!" And he
transferred the jewelry to his pocket.

A second later he came upon a bunch of keys. They proved to belong
to the trunks and bags, and soon he had the trunks open and the
contents scattered in all directions. Then he went down on his knees,
examining everything brought to light.

It must be confessed that he was in a fever of excitement. The Rover
boys might return at any moment, and he knew full well that to be
caught would mean a term in prison. He kept his ears on the alert
while his heart thumped loudly within his bosom.

"A pocketbook at last!" he cried softly, and snatched it up. One look
showed him a, small pile of five and ten-dollar bills, exactly two
hundred and seventy-five dollars in all. Then he found another jewel
case, and from it extracted a second diamond stud and a pair of very
fine cuff buttons.

"That is all I guess I can get," he muttered, as he stood up. "But
I might as well take a new outfit while I am at it," he added, and
picked up several articles of wearing apparel. These he stuffed in
one of the bags which had not been cut, and around it put a small strap.

Tiptoeing his way to the door, he opened it and listened. Nobody was
within hearing or sight. But as he stepped out, the waiter he had
before seen came once more into view, this time carrying a tray with
some bottles and a box of cigars. The waiter eyed him curiously again,
but said nothing.

"Too bad he saw me, but it can't be helped," thought Dan Baxter, and
made his way downstairs with all possible speed. Once in the lower
hall he lost no time in gaining the street. In another moment he was
swallowed up in the darkness of the night.




CHAPTER III

A DISCOVERY AND WHAT FOLLOWED


"Hullo, what does this mean? Here is a key in the door."

It was Dick Rover who spoke. He stood in the hallway of the hotel,
and beside him were Tom and Sam. They had eaten rather heartily at
the restaurant and taken more time than they had anticipated.

"I didn't leave the key there," came from Tom. "Here it is," and he
brought it out of his pocket. "I meant to leave it at the desk, but
it slipped my mind."

Dick found the door open and walked into the room, followed by his
brothers. Baxter had extinguished the gas and they stood in the dark
until Sam found a match and lit up. Then a cry went up from all three:

"We have been robbed!"

"This is some sneak thief's work," came from Dick. "Run down and tell
the hotel clerk at once."

Tom bolted from the room and went down the stairs three steps at a
time. The clerk sat dozing in his chair and was roused up with
difficulty. But as soon as he realized that something was wrong he
was wide-awake.

"A robbery, eh?" he queried. "What have you lost?"

"We've got to find that out," answered Tom.

In less than a quarter of an hour they knew the extent of their
loss--three diamonds and a pair of cuff buttons, in all worth over
two hundred dollars, and two hundred and seventy-five dollars in
cash--not to mention a ruined valise and one missing, and the loss
of a light overcoat, some silk handkerchiefs and some underwear.

"A total loss of over five hundred dollars," said Tom.

At this the hotel clerk gave a long whistle. "As much as that?"

"Yes," said Dick.

"We must get on the track of the thief, and without delay."

"I reckon I know the thief," said Sam.

"You think it was Dan Baxter?" questioned his elder brother.

"I do."

"Perhaps you are right. But there is no proof that he did it."

The hotel clerk found the windows closed and locked.

"The thief came in and went out by the door," he said. "The hall boys
or somebody else must have seen him. This key is stuck in the lock,
which proves that it is not a regular hotel key."

Without delay the story of the robbery was telephoned to the nearest
police station, and soon two detectives appeared. By this time some
of the servants noticed that something was wrong, and the waiter who
had seen Dan Baxter come in and go out told his story, to which the
boys, the hotel clerk, and the detectives listened with interest.

"Tell us just how that fellow looked," said Dick, and the waiter gave
a very good description of the person he had seen.

"I imagine Sam is right," said Dick. "If it wasn't Dan Baxter it was
his double."

Upon hearing this the hotel clerk and the detectives insisted upon
knowing who Dan Baxter was, and the boys told as much of the bully
as they deemed necessary.

"Of course, if he is guilty the chances are that he will leave San
Francisco as soon as possible," said one of the detectives. "The best
we can do is to try to head him off."

"And we'll do our best to find him, too," added Tom.

"I think the hotel ought to be responsible for this robbery," said Dick.

"You didn't leave your key at the desk when you went out," cried the
hotel clerk, struck by a sudden idea.

"What of that?" asked Tom.

"That makes the guest responsible."

"What!" cried Tom, aghast.

"We are responsible only when the key is left at the desk. And jewels
must be left for keeping in one of our safes," went on the clerk.
"There are our rules," and he pointed to the printed form tacked on
the inside of the door.

"Don't let us talk about that just now," said one of the detectives.
"I think we can get hold of this thief, and if we are quick about it
we'll get everything he took, too."

The matter was talked over for a quarter of an hour longer and then
the detectives went off to make their report and to follow on the
trail of Dan Baxter, if such a thing was possible.

It must be confessed that the three Rover boys slept but little that
night. The loss of the cash was something of a serious matter to
them, even though they still possessed a hundred odd dollars in cash
between them, and could easily telegraph home for more. More than
this, the diamonds and cuff buttons had been gifts of which they were
very proud.

"And to think that Dan Baxter should get them," said Tom. "I wouldn't
feel half so bitter if it had been just some ordinary sneak thief."
And the others said the same.

Two days went by and nothing was learned concerning Dan Baxter further
than that he had put up at the Montgomery Hotel for one night and
had left early in the morning.

"He is hundreds of miles away from here by this time," said Dick sadly.

"He said he would get square, and I guess he has done it," returned Tom.

But Dan Baxter had not gotten as far as they supposed. He was in
hiding in Oakland, across the bay, having pawned the diamonds at a
pawn-broker's of shady reputation for seventy-five dollars. This gave
him three hundred and fifty dollars in cash, which made him, for the
time being, feel quite rich.

But he was afraid to take a train to some other town, and so remained
in the boarding house for nearly a week, under the assumed name of
Robert Brown.

At the end of the fifth day Dan Baxter became acquainted with a
seafaring man named Jack Lesher. Lesher was a rough fellow, who had
sailed to many ports on the Pacific Ocean. He had now obtained the
position of first mate on a large schooner which was to sail in a
few days from San Francisco to several ports in Australia.

"I'd like to go on that trip to Australia," said Baxter, thinking of
his distant relative. "Do you want a passenger?"

"I'll see about it, my hearty," replied Jack Lesher, and on the
following day said that Captain Blossom would take him for an even
hundred dollars. A bargain was struck at once, and Dan Baxter went
on board of the schooner _Golden Wave_ that afternoon.

"I'm glad I am out of it," he told himself, when snug on board of
the craft. "I'll get to Australia after all, and I'm considerably
richer than I thought I would be. More than that, I've got in on
those Rover boys in a way they won't forget in a hurry."

While the detectives looked for the thief, the boys had small heart
to go sight-seeing. Every time they, went out they looked for Dan Baxter.

"If only I could meet him!" cried Tom. "Oh, but wouldn't I just punch
him good before I passed him over to a policeman."

During those days the lads received several letters from home, and
also three communications from the Stanhopes and the Lanings.

"The Stanhopes have gone to Santa Barbara," announced Dick, after
perusing an epistle from Dora. "And she says her mother is slightly
better."

"Nellie Laning is coming out, and so is Grace," said Tom.

"When?" questioned Dick.

"They have already started, according to the letter I have," put in
Sam. "Boys, I think we can have just the jolliest time ever was when
the girls are all together."

"Right you are," came from Tom. "What a pity we had to have that
robbery to darken our fun."

"I am not going to let it darken my fun," said Dick. "Don't worry
but what some day we'll get the best of Dan Baxter. That stolen stuff
will never do him much good."

The very next morning came word from the detectives. One of them
called at the hotel.

"I am afraid the case is queered," said he. "We tracked the rascal
to Oakland, and now it looks as if he had given us the slip for good."

"Can't you find any trace of him?" questioned Sam.

"Oh, yes! but he has shipped on a vessel which is bound for Australia,
and as she is already two days out of port he is out of our reach."

"You are certain he went on that vessel?" cried Tom.

"Yes. He went as a passenger, under the name of Robert Brown."

"And did he take the jewels and money with him?"

"More than likely. At any rate, we can find no trace of the jewels."

"Then that chase is done for," said Dick, "and we shall have to pocket
our loss."

The detective was chagrined to think that he had tracked Dan Baxter
only to lose him, and promised to see if anything more could be done
in the matter.

But nothing could be done, as there was no telling when the Golden
Wave would arrive at Australia, and what port the craft would first make.

"We have seen the last of Dan Baxter," said Sam.

But the youngest Rover was mistaken. They were to meet the bully
again, and under circumstances as astonishing as they were perilous.




CHAPTER IV

GOOD TIMES AT SANTA BARBARA


"What a land of plenty!"

It was Tom who made the remark.

The Rover boys were on their way to Santa Barbara, after having spent
three weeks at San Francisco and vicinity. They had received word
that Dora Stanhope and her mother and the two Laning girls were at
the fashionable watering place, and they were anxious to meet their
old friends.

On sped the luxurious train, over hills and through the valleys, past
heavy woodlands and by rich fruit farms. It was a scene which interested
them greatly, and they never tired of sitting at the windows, gazing out.

Presently the car door opened and a tall young fellow, carrying a
valise, stepped inside and walked down the aisle. As he came closer
Dick Rover leaped up.

"Bob Sutter!" he cried, with a smile of pleasure. "Who would ever
dream of meeting you out here?"

"Is it really Dick Rover?" questioned the newcomer, as he shook hands.
"And Tom and Sam, too! I must be dreaming. Is Putnam Hall on its
travels?"

"We are on our travels," replied Tom, also shaking hands, followed
by Sam. "But what are you doing here?"

Bob Sutter, a former scholar at Putnam Hall, smiled broadly.

"I live in California now. My father is interested in real estate in
Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. Our home is in Santa Barbara."

"That is where we are going," came from Sam.

"What are you doing just traveling around?"

"Yes; we thought we'd put in time until the Hall opens again."

"I heard it had been closed. Too bad! If you are going to Santa
Barbara, you must call and see me by all means," went on Bob Sutter.

"To be sure we will," said Tom, and his brothers nodded.

"We were going down there now to call on the Stanhopes," said Dick.
"They have come here for the benefit of Mrs. Stanhope's health,
and Nellie and Grace Laning are with them. I guess you know them all."

"I know the Laning girls, and I think I did meet Miss Stanhope once--at
a football game. I'll be glad to meet them again. But tell me about
yourselves."

Bob Sutter sat down, and soon all were talking at a lively rate. The
newcomer was astonished to hear of the doings of Dan Baxter.

"The Baxters always were a hard crowd," he said. "I hope you'll get
back your stuff some time."

It was late at night when Santa Barbara was reached, yet many of the
hotels were a blaze of light from top to bottom. At the depot the
Rover boys parted with Bob Sutter, but promised to call upon him in
a day or two.

"I've got a fine yacht," said Bob Sutter. "Some time I want to take
you for a trip."

"Just what we were wishing for!" cried Tom. "Just name your time,
that's all."

"How will next Monday suit?"

"Will your yacht hold us?" asked Sam.

"The Old Glory will hold ten passengers on a pinch," answered Bob Sutter.

"Then you don't sail the craft alone."

"I can sail her in fair weather. But father makes me take an old
sailor named Jerry Tolman along with me. Jerry is a character--a
regular old salt, and I love to have his company. And that makes me
think! Why can't we make up a party and go out? You can bring the
three girls you are going to visit, and I can bring my cousin, Mary
Parloe."

"Now you are talking!" shouted Sam. "What a jolly trip it will be!"

The proposal met with immediate approval, and it was decided that
the boys should meet not later than Saturday afternoon to complete
arrangements.

The Rover boys had received word that Mrs. Stanhope had rented a
furnished cottage not far from one of the leading hotels. The lady
was very nervous, and did not like too much noise and confusion about
her. Meals were brought in from the hotel, which made it very pleasant.

When the three boys drove up in a carriage from the depot, three
girls came rushing out to greet them. The three were Dora Stanhope
and her two cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning.

"So here you are at last!" cried Dora Stanhope, as she gave Dick's
hand a tight squeeze.

"We almost made up our mind you had missed the train," said Nellie
Laning to Tom, giving him a bright smile as she spoke.

"How fine you are looking," said Grace to Sam. "Traveling must agree
with you."

"Traveling does agree with us," said Sam.

"We would have been here sooner, only we stopped to talk to an old
schoolmate," said Dick, and then he told about Bob Sutter.

"Oh, I remember Bob Sutter," said Nellie. "We went on a straw-ride
together once--before you came to Putnam Hall," she added, to Tom.

"I know him, too," put in Grace. "He's a nice boy."

"Of course he is," said Sam pointedly.

"But he isn't as nice as some boys," went on Grace in a lower tone,
and giving Sam an arch smile that made him feel very happy.

They were soon in the cottage and greeting Mrs. Stanhope, who had
been lying on a couch. The lady greeted them in a motherly way that
made them feel more at home than ever. She thought a great deal of
the Rover boys, and especially of Dick, and did not object in the
least to the marked attention Dick bestowed upon her only child. As
my old readers know, the Rover boys had, in the past, done mother
and daughter more than one valuable service.

The boys were fortunate in obtaining rooms in the hotel close to the
cottage, which would make it possible for them to run in and out as
they pleased.

"It's like old times to be together again," said Tom, when he and
his brothers were retiring that night. "And, as Mrs. Stanhope is
feeling so well, I guess we can have lots of fun."

And fun they did have. There were bathing in the surf, and lawn
tennis, and dancing at the hotel in the evening, and also lovely
walks and drives, and once they went out on horseback to a large
fruit farm some miles away, and were royally entertained by some of
Bob Sutter's friends. Bob Sutter and his cousin, Mary Parloe, went
along, and proved first-class company.

The idea of a trip on Bob's yacht suited everybody, and it was
decided that the whole party should go out early Monday morning,
taking old Jerry Tolman with them. They were to load down well with
provisions and visit not only several points along the coast, but
also one or two of the islands lying twenty-five to thirty miles
south of Santa Barbara.

The Rover boys had already inspected the Old Glory and found her to
be a first-class yacht in every respect. The craft was about sixty
feet in length and correspondingly broad of beam. She carried a tall
mast, but the lead in her keel was amply sufficient to keep her from
going over unless under full sail in a very heavy wind. The cabin
was fairly large and richly furnished, for the Sutters were a family
of means, and desired everything of the best.

If the boys liked the yacht they also liked the man who had charge
of her, bluff and hearty Jerry Tolman--Captain Jerry, as Bob Sutter
called him. He was truly an old salt, having sailed the ocean since
his tenth year, on both whalers and merchantmen. Captain Jerry lacked
a book education, but he was naturally shrewd, and far from being a fool.

"Downright glad to meet ye, my hearties," he said, when the boys were
brought on board. And he gave each hand a grip like that of iron.
"Want to look over my lady, eh? Well, she's a putty one to inspect,
take my word on't." And he showed them over the craft with pleasure.
They found the yacht clean "as a whistle," and each particular bit
of brasswork polished like a mirror.

By Saturday evening all was ready for the trip. On Sunday morning
the Rover boys went to church with the Stanhopes and the Lanings,
and rested in the afternoon.

They were just about to go to supper, when a note came for Dick. It
was from Bob Sutter, and ran as follows:



"MY DEAR DICK: My cousin and I have been in an accident. We went
driving to church this morning and the horse ran away and threw us
both out on the rocks. Miss Parloe had her collar bone broken, and
I broke my left ankle. Kindly come and see me if you can."



"An accident!" cried Tom. "That is too bad."

"Let us all go and see him," suggested Sam, and this plan was carried
out.

They found that Bob Sutter was resting easily on his bed. The doctor
had set the broken ankle, and put it in plaster, and he had told Bob
that he must keep quiet for several weeks.

"This ends that yacht trip, so far as I am concerned," said Bob ruefully.

"Never mind, we can wait until you get well," said Dick cheerfully,
although he did not expect' to remain at Santa Barbara more than ten
days longer.

"No, I don't want you to wait," answered Bob Sutter. "My cousin won't
be well, so they tell me, for several months, and I won't want to go
without her. I've been thinking that you had better take the trip
without us. Captain Jerry can easily run the yacht with your aid."

"That's very kind of you," said Tom. "But we'd rather have you along."

The matter was talked over for an hour. The Rover boys knew that
Dora, Nellie, and Grace would be sorely disappointed if the yacht
trip was given up. At last they decided to accept Bob Sutter's kind
suggestion and make the trip without the company of the young owner
and his cousin; and then they withdrew, wishing Bob a speedy recovery.




CHAPTER V

ON BOARD OF THE YACHT


"What a glorious day for the trip!"

"We are going to turn real sailors, aren't we?"

"Can't I help pull up a sail or something, Tom?"

Such were the remarks of Dora, Nellie, and Grace as they boarded the
Old Glory early on Monday morning.

The boys and Captain Jerry were there to receive them, having arrived
an hour before, to see that all the provisions were stowed away, and
that the craft was in prime condition for sailing. By a curious
combination of circumstances Bob Sutter had ordered far more provisions
than were necessary for such a short trip, but Captain Jerry had
found a place for everything, remarking that they might come in useful
after all, but never dreaming how useful, as later events were to prove.

Mrs. Stanhope had come down in a carriage to see them off. She kissed
all of the girls an affectionate good-by.

"Have a good time," she said. "And be sure and come back safe and sound."

"Don't ye worry but what I'll bring 'em back safe enough, ma'am,"
said Captain Jerry, as he tipped his cap respectfully.

When the girls were safe on board, the boys waved an adieu to Mrs.
Stanhope. Then they ranged up in a row in front of old Jerry and each
touched his forelock and gave a hitch to his trowser leg.

"Ready for orders, cap'n," they said, in unison, having practiced
this little by-play in secret.

"Wh--what?" stammered Captain Jerry, gazing at them in bewilderment.

"Ready for orders, sir," they said.

"Shall we shake out the mainsail?" asked Dick.

"Shall I hoist the jib?" came from Tom.

"Can I set the topsail, captain?" put in Sam.

"Well, by the son o' Neptune!" gasped Captain Jerry. "Got a real,
generwine crew, aint I? All right, my hearties, I'll set ye to work
fast enough." And then followed a string of orders in true nautical
style, and the Rover boys flew in one direction and another to execute
them. Up went the mainsail and the jib, and the top-sail followed,
and soon the Old Glory was standing off into Santa Barbara Channel,
with Mrs. Stanhope in the carriage waving them an adieu, and the
girls and the boys waving their handkerchiefs in return.

It certainly was a glorious day, as Dora had said, and after the
sails were set, there was nothing to do but to take it easy on the
cushions of the rail seats. Captain Jerry was at the wheel, but he
promised to let each of them "take a trick" in his place before
the trip should come to an end.

"I jest wish we had another yacht to race with," said the old sailor.
"Then I could show ye what sort o' a clean pair o' heels the Old
Glory could show the other craft."

"It is easy to see the yacht is speedy," replied Dick. "She cuts the
water like a thing of life. And you know just how to get her best
speed out of her," he went on, a remark that pleased old Jerry very much.

"Will we have more breeze, do you think?" asked Tom, later on, as he
observed some in clouds to the westward.

"Can't say as to that, lad. Those clouds may come this way and they
may blow north'ard. If they come down here, we'll catch it putty
lively."

"I like a good, stiff breeze," came from Sam.

"Oh, don't run us into a storm," cried Grace in alarm. "We might all
get seasick."

"Don't be alarmed," said Dick. "We are a very long way from a storm,
to my way of thinking."

The morning passed quickly enough, and at noon they ran into a small
harbor on one of the islands and had dinner in true picnic style. At
one o'clock they packed up once more, went on board of the Old Glory,
and stood off to the westward, for all wanted a run "right on the
ocean," as Tom expressed it.

Captain Jerry was just a bit doubtful of the trip, for the clouds in
the western sky had grown considerably larger than when first noticed.
Not that he did not think the yacht could weather a blow, but he was
afraid the young ladies would get seasick. However, as he did not
wish to put a damper on their fun, he said nothing, resolved to turn
back at the first sign of any "inward upsettin'," as he expressed it.

The breeze had increased, and as it was directly from off shore the
Old Glory bowled along merrily over the waves. Nobody showed the
least sign of seasickness, and they talked, laughed, and sang as if
they had not a care in the world. Tom also did some fishing, and
caught a string of the finny tribe, of which he was justly proud.

"You can bake them for us when we get back," he said to Nellie. "And
then we can all have a fish party."

"I could go on sailing like this for a week," said Dick to Dora, as
they moved forward. "I mean if you were along with me," he added, in
a lower tone, and she gave him a look that meant a good deal.

When three o'clock came Captain Jerry announced that they must turn
back. They were far out of sight of land, with nothing but the blue
ocean around them. Overhead the sky was still clear, but the clouds
on the horizon were rapidly increasing.

"Oh, let us keep on a while longer," pleaded Tom. "This is just
glorious!" And the others said the same.

So they kept on, although somewhat against Captain Jerry's better
judgment. The old sailor was watching the clouds. Presently there
came an extra heavy puff of wind, and then the clouds seemed to rush
up with lightning-like rapidity.

"Got to go back, now," said the sailor. "Going to have a big blow
afore night." And he threw over the tiller and gave the necessary
commands to change the sails.

"By Jove, but those clouds are coming up fast!" exclaimed Dick, after
a careful survey. "I ever saw them come up like that on the Atlantic,
or on the Great Lakes."

"It's unusual," replied Captain Jerry, with a shake of his head.
"Never seen it afore myself. The wind is coming around, too. It's
goin' to be a different storm from what we generally git around these
waters."

The black clouds soon obscured the sun, and the wind began to blow
stronger than ever, sending the whitecaps rolling over the ocean,
and causing the spray to fly over the deck of the yacht. Nellie
clutched Tom by the arm.

"Oh, Tom, what does this mean?" she asked in a trembling voice.

"It means that we are going to have a storm, that's all," he answered
as lightly as he could.

"But--but will it hurt us?" came from Grace.

"I don't think so," put in Sam. "But we may get wet, unless we go
into the cabin."

"I vote the girls all go into the cabin," said Dick. "Sam can go with
them if he wants to. Tom, you and I can stay on deck to look after
the sails."

"I'm going to do my duty on deck, too," came from Sam promptly.

Another rush of wind now sent the spray flying in all directions,
and to keep from being drenched the girls retired to the tiny cabin,
or, rather, cuddy, of which the Old Glory boasted.

"I am sure it is going to be an awful storm," said Dora. "I wish we
were safe on land once more."

"Oh, dear! do you think we'll go to the bottom?" asked Nellie.

"The boys won't let the yacht go down," answered Dora. "They are all
good sailors, and Captain Jerry must know all about handling this
craft. But we may have a very bad time of it before we get back to
Santa Barbara."

It was dark in the cabin, but the yacht pitched and plunged so
violently that they were afraid to light the lantern. So they huddled
together, each holding another's hand.

On deck Captain Jerry gave orders to lower the topsail and haul in
the jib. Several reefs were also taken in the mainsail, and the boys
stood ready to bring down the rest of the sheet with a rush at the
first word from the old sailor.

"It's a re-markable storm--re-markable," said Captain Jerry, chewing
vigorously on the quid of tobacco in his cheek. "Aint never seen no
sech storm here afore. Puts me in mind o' a blow I stood out in onct
off the coast o' Alaska when I was in a whaler. Thet storm caught us
same time as this an' ripped our mast out in a jiffy and drowned two
o' the sailors."

"I hope nothing like that happens to us," said Dick, with a shudder.
He was not thinking of himself, but of the three girls in the cabin.

"Well, lad, it aint goin' to be no easy blow, I kin tell ye that,"
responded Captain Jerry.

Soon the wind began to whistle shrilly through the air, and the sky
became so black they could scarcely see a hundred yards in any
direction, Then came some distant flashes of lightning and rolling
thunder, and soon the patter of rain.

"Now we are going to catch it," said Tom, and he was right. Ten
minutes later it was pouring in torrents, and the rain continued to
keep coming down as if there was to be no end of it.

"Boys, aren't you most drowned?" asked Nellie, peeping out of the
cabin door.

"No, but you'll be if you come out here," called back Tom.

"We can't stand up and we can't sit still," came from Grace.

"Sorry, but you'll have to make the best of it," answered Sam.

"Oh, we won't mind, if only we reach shore in safety," put in Dora,
and then the door was closed again.

On and on swept the Old Glory, through the wind, the rain, and the
darkness. As there was no land near, Captain Jerry paid his whole
attention to making the yacht ride easily, an almost impossible task
in such a sea as was now raging.

Suddenly from somewhere out of the air came a humming sound. It grew
louder and louder, and the boys felt a strange suction of wind which
made them hold tightly to the rail for fear of being pulled overboard
by some uncanny force. There followed a loud snap and a crash, and
the mast began to come down.

"Look out for the mast!" screamed Captain Jerry, and all jumped just
in the nick of time. Down came the stick, to strike the rail and
shatter it like a pipe stem, and then lay over the deck and over the
waves beyond.




CHAPTER VI

ADRIFT ON THE PACIFIC OCEAN


"The mast has gone by the board!" screamed Dick, on rising to his feet.

"That stick will turn the yacht over!" gasped Tom.

Poor Sam could not speak, for a wave had struck him full in the mouth,
and he had all he could do to keep from being washed overboard.

The girls in the cabin heard the crash above the roaring of the
elements, and let up a scream of alarm.

"Are we going down?"

"Shall we come out on deck?"

"Stay where ye are!" shouted back Captain Jerry, clinging to the
wheel with a grip of steel. Then he turned to Dick: "Can ye git an
ax and clear away the wreck?"

"I'll try it," replied the eldest Rover, and he moved cautiously to
where an ax rested in a holder. Soon he had the article in hand, and
was chopping away as fast as he could, while Tom, holding to the
bottom of the mast with one hand, held Dick with the other. Sam, in
the meantime, cut away some.. cordage with a hatchet which was handy.

It was truly a perilous moment, and it looked as if the mighty waves
would swamp the Old Glory before the wreckage could be cleared away.
The girls stood at a cabin window watching the work and ready to leap
out if the yacht should start to go down.

"There it goes!" cried Dick, at last, and gave another stroke with
the ax. There followed a snap and a crack, and overboard slid the
broken mast, carrying a mass of cordage with it.

At once the Old Glory righted herself, sending a small sheet of water
flowing from one side of the deck to the other. Some of the water
swept into the cabin, and the girls were alarmed more than ever.