"And take the Spaniard along?"

"Of course. The Spaniard was one of the chaps who originally took the
treasure to the island."

"Well, where do we come in?"

"He wants us along because he is afraid the fellows on the vessel will
make a fight for the gold and jewels when they are found. Some of those
sailors are pretty bloodthirsty, you know. He says he is going to take
at least four strong men whom he can trust."

Dick listened with keen interest to this talk, which revealed a great
deal. Sid Merrick had made an arrangement to go on a voyage after the
treasure! How soon he would start there was no telling, but probably as
quickly as he could get ready. More than this, he expected to have with
him the Spaniard, Doranez, the fellow who had said he was going to
Spain to visit his relatives. More than likely Merrick and Doranez were
in league with each other and would do all in their power to keep the
treasure out of the hands of the rightful owners.

"If only Tom and Sam were here," thought Dick. "Or if only Tom has
captured Tad Sobber! This is getting lively, to say the least."

The men were now speaking in a lower tone and he put his ear to the
keyhole, to catch what they might say. Then, of a sudden, the door
opened and he found himself confronted by Shelley.

"Thought I heard somebody in the hall!" cried that individual, and
grabbed Dick by the arm.

"Let go!" answered the youth and tried to break away. But Sobber came
to Shelley's assistance, and between them the two men dragged the boy
into the room and shut the door after him. Dick struggled vigorously
even when in the apartment until Sobber caught up an empty water
pitcher and flourished it over his head.

"Make another move and I'll knock you senseless with this!" he
exclaimed and the look on his face showed he meant what he said. Seeing
his captors were too powerful for him, Dick subsided and was forced
into a chair in a corner.

"Been listening to all our talk, I suppose," said Cuffer, uglily. He
was angry to think that Dick had been able to follow him after all.

"I have," was the youth's bold reply. He felt nothing was to be gained
by beating around the bush.

"It's a nice business to be in!"

"It is better than the business you are in."

"I don't think so."

"I do. You fellows are in league with Sid Merrick, and you know what
sort he is."

"See here," interrupted Shelley. "Now we have him in here, what are we
going to do with him?"

"You are going to let me out," said Dick.

"Perhaps we are," said Cuffer, and gave Shelley a significant look.

"Let us see if he's got any papers with him," suggested Shelley, and
returned the look given to him by his companion.

The look meant that they would go through Dick's pockets and rob him.
The men were thorough rascals and if the youth had anything worth
taking they meant to have it.

"You keep out of my pockets!" cried Dick and started to rise from the
chair in which he was sitting. Instantly both men grabbed him, and
while Cuffer held him tightly from the rear, Shelley caught up a towel
and gagged him. Then a bed sheet was used to tie Dick inside of a
closet in a corner of the room.

"Listen, I think somebody is coming!" cried Cuffer, in sudden alarm.

"Keep the boy quiet!" answered Shelley and ran to the hall door just as
a knock sounded upon it.

"What's the racket up here?" demanded the voice of the hotel clerk.

"Oh, we were only trying a vaudeville turn," answered Shelley, coolly.
"We have an engagement for next week."

"Well, stop that noise and don't break any of the furniture, or you'll
pay for it," growled the clerk and went away. It chanced that actors
occasionally stopped at the hotel and practised their parts. Shelley
knew of this, hence the excuse he gave for the noise made in rendering
Dick a prisoner.

As soon as the clerk had retired Cuffer and Shelley both paid their
attention to Dick, and with great rapidity they went through his
pockets, stripping him of his watch and chain, and twenty-four dollars
and a quarter in money. They also took a small diamond scarf pin and a
ring set with a valuable ruby. In one pocket Cuffer found several
letters and he likewise appropriated these.

"Not such a bad haul," was the thief's comment.

Of course, Dick did not submit willingly, but with a gag in his mouth,
and his hands and feet tied tightly, he could do but little. As soon as
the men had taken his things from him, they shut the closet door upon
him and locked it. A few minutes later all became quiet, showing that
they had left the room.

The closet was small and stuffy and in this warm weather made Dick
perspire freely. But without waiting to make certain that the men were
really gone, he commenced to work upon his bonds and the gag in his
mouth.

It was no light task and it was a good quarter of an hour before he got
one hand loose. Then he freed his other hand and undid the troublesome
gag, which had all but smothered him, and then unfastened his feet.

He was still a prisoner in the closet, the door of which was an
old-fashioned one and thick. But by bracing his feet against the back
wall, Dick got a firm hold and soon his shoulder on the barrier caused
it to bend and creak. Then the lock gave way and the door flew open
with a bang.

A glance around the room showed that the men had flown, and for good,
for two valises which had stood in a corner were missing.

Dick leaped to the hall door, only to find it locked from the outside.

"They must have gone that way," he reasoned, after a look out of the
window, and then he rapped on the door loudly.

It was several minutes before anybody answered his summons. Then an
ignorant looking chambermaid appeared.

"Phot does yez want?" she demanded, in a strong Irish brogue.

"I am locked in. Let me out," answered Dick.

After some fumbling, the chambermaid found her key and unlocked the
door. She gazed at Dick in some surprise, for she saw that he was
excited.

"Sure, I didn't know yez had that room," she said.

"Did you see the two men who had this room?" demanded the youth.

"I did not."

"They robbed me and ran away."

"Saints preserve us! Robbed ye? Of phat?"

"Of everything I had. Sure you didn't see 'em?"

"Not since this marnin'."

"Well, they must have just gone out," said Dick, and ran down the
stairs and to the office. Here he found the place deserted, the clerk
having gone down to the dining room for his supper, and nobody else
being on duty. The clerk listened to his story with small interest and
shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't see what I can do," he said. "We ain't responsible for our
guests. You had better go and see the police. I hope you catch them,
for such rascals give hotels bad reputations."

"Do you know the men at all?"

"No, never set eyes on 'em until a couple of days ago. Then they came
in, hired that room, and came and went to suit themselves. One was
named Brown and the other Smith--at least that's the names on the
register."

"Those were fake names. Then you won't help me to catch them?"

"I don't see what I can do," answered the clerk, calmly. "We are not to
blame for this, you can see that for yourself."

Dick could see, and after a few words more, he left the hotel, feeling
very depressed in spirits. He spent an hour in looking up and down the
Bowery for Cuffer and Shelley, but without success. Then, as it was
getting late, he returned to the hotel at which he and the rest of his
family were putting up.




CHAPTER XI

ABOARD THE STEAM YACHT


Mr. Rover, as well as Tom and Sam, had come in, and all were anxious to
hear what Dick might have to report. They were filled with amazement at
the story of the robbery.

"I thought I'd wait about telling the police until I had heard what you
had to say," said Dick, to his father.

"I am afraid in a big city like New York it won't do much good to tell
the police," answered Anderson Rover. "However, we can report it
to-morrow. But I think Cuffer and Shelley will keep in the shade until
they see Sid Merrick and have a chance to get away," and in this
surmise Mr. Rover was correct. The matter was reported to the police,
and that was the end of it, so far as the authorities went, for they
failed to apprehend the evildoers.

Mr. Rover was much worried when he learned that Merrick had fallen in
with a captain of a tramp vessel who was ready to go on a hunt for the
treasure. And he was still more worried when Dick told him of the
letters which had been abstracted from his coat pocket by the thieves.
Among them was one from Mrs. Stanhope mentioning the treasure hunt and
how she would be on hand at Philadelphia to board the steam yacht with
Dora and the Lanings.

"If Cuffer and Shelley turn that letter over to Merrick it will give
him some idea of our proposed trip," said Mr. Rover, "and more than
likely he will strain every nerve to get ahead of us."

"His vessel may not be able to sail as fast as our steam yacht," said
Tom.

"That is true, Tom, but he may get down among the West Indies before we
can locate Treasure Isle and then he'll have as good a chance as
ourselves. Moreover, if he should land on the isle at the time we
did----"

"There'd be a hot time, that's sure," said the fun-loving boy, with a
grin.

"Do you think they'd fight?" asked Sam.

"Yes, if they saw a chance of getting the best of us," answered his
father.

"I wish I had caught Tad Sobber," came from Tom, regretfully.

"That might have done some good, but I doubt it," said Anderson Rover.
"From what I have learned of this Sid Merrick he is a man bound to do
as he sees fit, regardless of those around him. When the freight
thieves were captured he managed to get away, and he'll try to get away
even if we catch Tad, Cuffer and Shelley."

"I guess he is a worse man than Arnold Baxter was," was Dick's comment.
He referred to an old enemy of the Rovers, who had now reformed.

"Much worse than either Mr. Baxter or his son Dan ever were," answered
Mr. Rover. "If caught in a corner I think this Merrick would be capable
of any wicked thing."

"What do you advise?" asked Tom.

"We will go to Philadelphia as soon as possible and get the steam yacht
ready for the trip. The best way to foil Merrick and his crowd is to
find the isle, get possession of the treasure, and get away before they
know what we are doing," answered Anderson Rover.

On the following day the party was rejoined by Songbird, and then all
journeyed to Philadelphia, taking Aleck Pop with them. They found the
_Rainbow_ tied up to a dock along the Delaware River, and went
aboard. The master of the craft, Captain Barforth, was on hand to greet
them, and he speedily made them feel at home. The captain was a big,
good-natured man of about forty, and the boys knew they would like him
the moment they saw him.

"Well, this is certainly a swell boat," said Sam, after an inspection.
"And as clean as a whistle."

"Puts me in mind of the deserted steam yacht we boarded in the Gulf of
Mexico," answered Dick, referring to a happening which has been related
in detail in "The Rover Boys in Southern Waters."

"Wonder if we'll have as many adventures as we did on that boat," mused
Dick. "Those were hot times, eh?"

"We'll not lack for adventures if we come into contact with Merrick and
his gang," answered Songbird, who had been told all the details of the
adventures in New York.

There were six single and four double staterooms aboard the steam
yacht, so the Rovers and their friends were not crowded for
accommodations, since even a single room contained two berths, an upper
and a lower. Each room was done in white and gold, giving it a truly
aristocratic appearance. There was a good deal of brass and
nickel-plated work, and the metal shone like a mirror.

"I declare it's most too good to use," said Sam when on a tour of
inspection. "This craft must have cost a sight of money."

"It did," answered his father. "But the owner is a millionaire so he
can well afford it."

The boys were as much interested in the machinery as in anything, and
they visited the engine room and became acquainted with Frank Norton,
the head engineer. They learned that the engine was of the most modern
type, and that the _Rainbow_, in spite of her breadth of beam--she
was rather wide--could make twenty to twenty-six knots an hour in an
ordinary sea.

"And we've got a licence to go where we please," added the head
engineer proudly.

Now that they were aboard the steam yacht the Rover boys were anxious
to be sailing. But they were also anxious to greet their friends and
they awaited the arrival of the others with interest. Fred Garrison and
Hans Mueller came in together, the following noon, Hans lugging a
dress-suit case that was as big almost as a dog house.

"Here we are again!" sang out Fred, dropping his baggage and shaking
hands all around. "I declare it's like when we went on the houseboat
trip."

"Maybe I ton't vos glad to drop dot leetle drunk alretty?" said Hans,
indicating his baggage. "He vos veigh most a don, I dink."

"Why didn't you let an expressman bring it?" asked Dick.

"Not much!" declared the German youth shaking his head vigorously.
"Vonce I haf a pox mid a new hat in him, und I say to a poy, carry dot
und I gif you den cents. Vell, he is carrying dot yet, I dink, for I
ton't see dot hat no more, nefer!"

"Well, you won't have to carry any more baggage for a long while to
come," said Mr. Rover, with a smile, and then had Aleck take the things
below. When Hans saw the elegant staterooms, and the main saloon of the
steam yacht with its beautiful mirrors and rich carvings, his eyes
bulged out like saucers.

"Mine cracious!" he gasped. "Vos dis der poat we sail in, udder vos dis
a poat pelonging to Mr. Vanderfellow, or some of dose udder
millionaires?"

"This is the boat," said Tom, with a wink at the others. "Of course
it's rather plain, Hans, but maybe you'll get used to it."

"Blain? Vy, Dom----"

"There are only six kinds of baths aboard, cold, hot, soda, milk,
mustard, and cream de fizz, but if you want any other kind all you've
got to do is to ask the ship's carpenter about it."

"Six kinds of paths! Vy I ton't vos----"

"And then at meals the cook serves only five kinds of dessert--pie,
fruit, iced-cabbage, vinegar sherbit, and hot lardalumpabus. Of course
I know you don't like pie and fruit and things like that, but you'll
fall dead in love with the lardalumpabus," went on the fun-loving
Rover.

"Vot is dot lardapusalump ennahow?" queried Hans, scratching his head
gravely. "I ton't remember him."

"Why, it's a compote, with frizzled gizzardinus and pollylolly. It's
delicious, served with cream and salt--but you want lots of salt, Hans,
lots of salt."

"Maybe I try him, I ton't know," answered the German youth, gravely.
And then even Tom had to turn away, to keep from roaring in Hans' face.

The Rover boys went to the depot to meet the train which was to bring
in the Stanhopes and the Lanings. There was a little delay, but it was
soon over and they were shaking hands warmly all around.

"It seems so delightful to go off on another trip!" said Dora, to Dick.
"I know I am going to enjoy it very much!"

"And I know I am going to enjoy it, too--with you along," answered
Dick, with a smile which spoke volumes.

"Mother is quite excited--thinking she is going on a treasure hunt,"
went on Dora. "But I think a few days' rest on shipboard will quiet her
nerves."

"I hope for your sake, Dora, our hunt proves successful," added Dick,
gallantly.

"I have always wanted to go to the West Indies," said Nellie Laning to
Tom. "I want to pick some ripe bananas and cocoanuts right from the
trees."

"Yes, and ripe oranges," put in Grace. "Won't it be jolly?" she added,
turning to Sam.

"Too jolly for anything!" murmured Sam, and then he gave Grace's arm a
little squeeze and led her through the crowd to where a carriage was in
waiting.

There were trunks to be looked after, but the checks for these were
turned over to Aleck, and the colored man saw to it that all the
baggage was properly transferred to the steam yacht.

It was with not a little pride that the boys took the Stanhopes and the
Lanings aboard the _Rainbow_, for, although they did not own the
elegant craft it was something to even have her under charter. Mr.
Rover met the newcomers at the gangplank and made them welcome.

"Oh, but isn't this just too lovely for anything!" cried Dora, as she
surveyed the double stateroom assigned to her and her mother. "And look
at the fine bunch of roses on the stand!" She looked at Dick. "This is
some of your doings, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Thank you very much! But you must have one," and the girl promptly
pinned one of the largest in his buttonhole.

"This is more than comfortable," said Mrs. Stanhope, with a sigh of
satisfaction. And then she sank down in an easy chair to rest, for the
long journey from Cedarville had greatly fatigued her.

In the meantime the other boys had taken the Lanings to another double
stateroom, equally luxurious. Here a vase held a big bunch of
carnations, the gift of Tom and Sam combined. Nellie and Grace and
their mother were much pleased and said so.

"Tom, I could almost hug you for this!" cried Nellie, in a low voice.

"Well, nobody is stopping you," he added promptly.

"All right, I will--on your next birthday," cried Nellie, not to be
caught. "But really, I'm a thousand times obliged to you."

"This is like a room in a fairies' palace!" exclaimed Grace. "I know
when I go to sleep I'll dream of fairies and rainbows, and pots of
gold----"

"The gold we want to unearth," broke in Sam. "Just dream where that is
located and then tell us of it."

"Oh, you'll be sure to find that."

"How do you know?"

"Oh, you never fail in anything," and Grace gave him a sunny smile.

"I don't know about that, Grace. This is going to be no easy task."

"Oh, I know that, Sam, but you'll win in the end, I know you will."

"I trust we do--for your sake as much as for the others. You know if it
is found a good share of the treasure goes to your mother."

"Yes, and that will be awfully nice."

"Maybe, if you get all that money, you won't notice poor me."

"Poor you? Why, you'll have a great deal more than we'll have anyway.
You are rich already."

"Well, if you get the money you won't forget me, will you?" persisted
Sam.

"What a queer boy you are, Sam! Forget you! Well, just try me with the
money and see!" she added, and gave him one of her warmest smiles. Then
she danced off to look at the rest of the steam yacht, and the youngest
Rover followed her.




CHAPTER XII

SOMETHING ABOUT FIRECRACKERS


All was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most
important of all. Bahama Bill had not put in an appearance and was not
expected until the evening of the Fourth of July.

"We shall have to remain over the Fourth after all," said Anderson
Rover. "But I imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the
city and have some fun."

It did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine
automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to
accommodate all of the girls and boys. The morning was spent in and
around the yacht, where Tom and some of the others amused themselves by
shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. Tom had purchased
some things for the Fourth the day previous and he had one package
which he was careful to keep out of sight.

"I am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his
brothers. "But don't tell anybody about it."

"What is it?" asked his younger brother.

"Wait and see."

It had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch,
so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. Aleck
was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself
in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags.

"Oh, how lovely!" cried Dora, as she came in and sat down. "I declare,
Aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." And she gave the colored
man a smile which pleased him immensely.

"Where is Tom?" asked Mr. Rover, after all the others were seated.

"I ton't know," answered Hans. "Tidn't he know ve vos to eat a leetle
early to-tay?"

"He's coming," answered Sam.

Just then Tom came into the dining room holding something in his hand
covered with a long paper bag. From under the bag smoke was curling.

"In honor of the Fourth of July!" cried the fun-loving Rover and placed
the object upright in the center of the long table. Then he took off
the bag with a flourish. There was revealed a big cannon cracker, fully
a foot and a half high and several inches in diameter. The fuse was
spluttering away at a great rate.

"Tom!" yelled Mr. Rover in alarm. "Throw that thing out!"

"We'll be blown to pieces!" yelled Fred.

"That's too big to shoot off indoors," added Songbird, preparing to
run.

"Ve peen knocked to bieces!" groaned Hans, and slid under the table out
of sight.

The ladies shrieked and so did the girls. Mrs. Stanhope looked ready to
faint, but Tom whispered hastily into her ear and she recovered. Mr.
Rover wanted to throw the cannon cracker through a window, but Tom held
him back.

The long fuse continued to splutter and all watched it as if
fascinated, and the girls put their hands to their ears in anticipation
of a fearful explosion. Then came a tiny flash, a strange clicking, and
off flew the top of the cannon cracker, sending a shower of confetti of
various colors in all directions.

"Oh!" shrieked the girls, and then everybody but Hans set up a laugh.
The German youth looked suspiciously out from under the table.

"Vot's der madder--did he go off?" he questioned.

"Yes, he did, Hans," answered Grace. "It was nothing but a cracker full
of colored paper instead of powder."

"Is dot so?" Hans got up and looked around. "Vell, I neffer! Looks like
ve got a colored snowstorm alretty, hey?" And this caused a roar. It
certainly did look like a "colored snowstorm," for the confetti was
everywhere, on the table, on their heads and over their clothing. Now
it was over everybody was highly amused, even Mrs. Stanhope laughing
heartily. As for Aleck, he roared so loudly he could be heard a block
up the docks.

"Dat's jess like Massa Tom!" he cried. "I suspicioned he'd be up to
somet'ing afo' de day was up. Yo' can't keep him down no mo' dan yo'
kin keep a jack-rabbit from hoppin', no, sah!"

"It certainly looked like the real thing," was Mr. Rover's comment.
"Had it been----"

"I'd never have brought it in here," finished Tom. "I'm sorry if I
frightened anybody," he added, looking at Mrs. Stanhope and Mrs.
Laning.

"We'll forgive you, Tom," answered Mrs. Stanhope, and Mrs. Laning said
she would, provided he wouldn't scare them again that holiday.

After that, the confetti on the table was cleared away and they ate
their lunch amid a constant cracking of jokes and bright sayings.
Songbird woke up and recited some verses he said he had composed the
night before, while lying awake in his berth. Some of these ran in this
fashion:

    "This is the day I love the best--
    The day the small boy knows no rest,--
    The day when all our banners soar,
    The day when all our cannons roar,
    The day when all are free from care,
    And shouts and music fill the air!"

"Good for Songbird!" cried Sam.

"Go on, please!" came from the girls, and the poet of Putnam Hall
continued:

    "I love this land of liberty
    From mountains down to flowing sea,
    I love its cities and its plains,
    Its valleys and its rocky chains,
    I'm glad to know that we are free,
    And so forever may we be!"

"Hurrah, Songbird, you ought to have that set to music," cried Dick.

"Maybe I will, some day," answered the would-be poet modestly.

"I dink I make some boetry up, too," remarked Hans, after several
minutes of serious thought on his part. "Chust you listen vonce!" And
he began:

    "Dis is der day ven crackers bust
    Und fill der air mid bowder tust,
    Und ven you shoots your bistol off,
    You make a smokes vot makes you cough.
    A rocket goes up in der sky--
    Der sthick vos hit you in der eye!"

"Three cheers for Hans!" shouted Tom, clapping the German lad on the
back. "For real, first-class A, No. 1, first-chop poetry that can't be
beat." And then as the others screamed with laughter Tom went on:

    "A little boy,
        A can of powder,
    A scratch, a flash--
        He's gone to chowder!"

"Oh, Tom, what horrible poetry!" cried Nellie, as she shivered.

"Well, I couldn't help it," he said. "I had to say something or--or
bust! Perhaps this will suit you better," and he continued:

    "A little boy,
        A great big gun,
    A father yelling
        On the run.
    The trigger falls,
        There is a roar.
    The father halts--
        The danger's o'er."

"Tom, you're positively the worst boy ever!" said Nellie, but the way
she spoke told she meant just the opposite.

"I tell you vot ve vos do, Tom," suggested Hans. "Ve vos form a boetry
association alretty, hey? Songpirt can be der bresident."

"What will you be, secretary?" asked Fred.

"No, I vos peen treasurer," answered Hans.

"Hans wants the money," put in Dick.

"Dot's it," answered the German youth calmly. "Ven dem udder fellers
makes up pad verses I vos fine dem a tollar, und ven I gits enough
tollars I skip me to Canada or Mexigo, hey?" And he said this so
comically everybody had to laugh.

The automobiles had been ordered down to the dock and were already in
waiting. Each was in charge of a chauffeur, and soon the boys and girls
went ashore and piled in. Dick and Dora, Sam and Grace, and Fred got in
the first turnout and the others in the second.

"Now do not go too far," said Mrs. Stanhope, "and be sure and keep on
roads that are safe."

"And do not stay out later than ten o'clock this evening," added Mrs.
Laning.

"Oh, we'll be back safe and sound and on time," cried Dick. "So don't
worry about us."

"Those are both powerful machines," was Mr. Rover's comment. "Be
careful that you don't exceed the speed limits, or you may be
arrested."

"Providing they catch us," answered Tom, with a grin.

It had been decided that they should go out into the country by the way
of Germantown, and soon they were bowling along in fine fashion over
the smooth city pavement. Here and there they met crowds shooting off
pistols and firecrackers.

"It is good we haven't horses," said Sam. "This racket might cause them
to run away."

"That is where the automobilist has the advantage over a horse driver,
Sam," answered his big brother. "But I must say, some of the young
fellows on the street are rather careless."

Scarcely had Dick spoken when the big machine rounded a corner and
speeded through a crowd of what were evidently factory hands. They were
shooting off pistols and firecrackers and raised a great din. Then one
ugly looking young fellow lighted a firecracker and sent it toward the
automobile. It landed directly in Dora's lap.

"Oh!" screamed Dora, and tried to draw away.

As quick as a flash Dick leaned forward and caught up the firecracker.
As he threw it out of the automobile it exploded close by.

"Do that again, and I'll come back at you!" shouted the elder Rover,
and shook his fist at the fellow in the street.

"Dick, did it hurt you?" asked Dora, anxiously.

"Oh, it burst my little finger a trifle, that's all," was the reply.
The finger smarted quite some, but Dick did not want to show it.

"We ought to go back and punch his head," was Sam's comment.

"Wonder if they'll try that game on the other auto," said Fred, as he
arose to look back.

He saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other
machine. It landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash Tom
was after it. The fun-loving Rover held it up, took aim, and sent it
straight at the fellow who had first launched it. Bang! went the
firecracker, right close to the rough's left ear. He set up a howl of
pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well.

"There, he's paid back," said Fred, and then the two automobiles passed
on, leaving the roughs in the distance.




CHAPTER XIII

A WILD AUTOMOBILE RIDE


"This is glorious!"

"It certainly could not be finer, Dick."

"Some day, Dora, I am going to take you for a long ride," went on Dick.
"I mean some day after we get home with that treasure," he added, in a
lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear.

"That's a long time off, Dick."

"Perhaps not so long."

"And what are you going to do after this hunt is over?"

"Go to college, I guess. It is not yet fully decided, for we don't know
what college to go to."

"I hope----" Dora broke off short.

"What, Dora."

"Oh, I was just thinking. Mamma thinks that I might go to college. If I
went it would be nice if we went to two places that were near each
other."

"Nice? It would be the best ever!" cried Dick, enthusiastically.

They were running along a country road a good many miles from
Philadelphia. All the noise of the city had been left behind and it
was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. The second machine was only
a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than
thirty miles per hour.

"Do you know, some day I am going to make a regular tour in an auto,"
remarked Sam. "I am sure a fellow could have lots of fun."

"You can have this machine any time you want to," said the chauffeur,
who had taken greatly to the party.

"We'll remember," answered Dick, indifferently. He did not particularly
fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of
liquor. Twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but Dick had
told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much.

A hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without
an effort. From the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and
here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which
interested the boys and girls very much:

         ICE CREAM.
    SODA WATER. ROOT BEER.
         BEST CANDY.

"Let us stop for some ice-cream," suggested Songbird. And he yelled to
those in the automobile ahead.

All of the girls loved ice-cream, so despite Dick's anxiety over his
chauffeur, a stop was made, and the boys and girls filed into the hotel
for the treat. Dick lingered behind to speak to both of the machine
drivers, for he saw that the second man was of the same "thirsty" type
as the other.

"Do you smoke?" he asked.

"Sure," was the reply from both.

"Then here is a quarter with which you can buy some cigars. And please
remember, no drinking," he added, significantly.

"Can't a fellow have a drink if he wants it?" demanded the chauffeur of
the first car.

"Not while you have my party out," was Dick's reply.

"Well, a fellow gets thirsty, driving a car in this dust," grumbled the
second chauffeur.

"If you are thirsty there is plenty of water handy, and root beer and
soda water, too. I meant liquor when I spoke."

"Oh, we'll keep straight enough, don't you worry," said the first
chauffeur, and then both of them turned away to a side entrance of the
hotel.

Dick was much worried, but he did not let the rest see it. He joined
the crowd in the ice-cream pavillion attached to the hotel, and there
they spent an hour, eating ice-cream, water ices and cake. Then some of
the lads went off and got several boxes of bonbons and chocolates to
take along on the rest of the trip.

When they went out to the two automobiles the chauffeurs were missing.
A man was trimming a hedge nearby and Dick asked him if he had seen the
pair.

"Must be over to the barroom," said the gardener. "That Hellig loves
his liquor, and Snall likes a glass, too."

"Was Hellig the driver of this first car?"

"Yes, and Snall ran the second."

Just then Tom came up, having placed Nellie in the second car.

"What's the trouble, Dick?" he questioned.

"I am afraid both our men have gone off to drink. This man says they
both love their liquor."

"They do, and both of 'em have been locked up for reckless driving--but
don't say I told you," said the gardener.

"Humph! This is serious," murmured Tom. "I don't like to trust a
chauffeur who drinks."

"Come with me," said his brother, in a low tone. "Just wait for us," he
shouted to the others, who were now in the two cars.

He walked behind the ice-cream pavillion, Tom at his side, and then the
pair reached a side door, connecting with the hotel barroom. They
looked in and at a small table saw the two chauffeurs drinking liquor
from a bottle set before them. Both were rather noisy and had evidently
been imbibing freely.

"I won't let no boy run me and tell me what I shall take," they heard
Hellig say thickly.

"I'll drink what I please and when I please," answered Snall. "Let us
have another, Nat."

"Sure."

"This is the worst ever!" murmured Tom. "They are in no fit condition
to run the cars. I wouldn't trust my neck with either of them."

"And I am not going to trust the lives of the girls in their care,"
answered Dick, firmly.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know yet. But one thing is settled--they shan't take us back."

"I think I could run one car--if we didn't go too fast," suggested Tom,
who had run several machines at various times in his lively career.

"I could run the other."

"Then let us do it, Dick. Those fellows don't own the cars, and we
didn't hire from them, we hired from the owner of the garage. I guess
we have a right to run them under the circumstances."

The two boys walked back to the automobiles. All of the others were now
anxious to know what was wrong and they had to give the particulars.

"Oh, Dick, you must not let them run the cars!" cried Grace, turning
pale.

"I'd rather have you and Tom run them ten times over," declared Dora.

While the party was talking the two chauffeurs came from the hotel and
walked unsteadily towards the automobiles. Their faces were red and
their eyes blinked unsteadily.

"Stop!" called Dick, when they were some distance away, and the
gardener and some guests of the hotel gathered around to see what was
the matter.

"What yer want?" growled Hellig, thickly.

"We are going to leave you both here and run the cars ourselves,"
answered Dick, coldly. "You are not fit to run them."

"What's the reason we ain't?" mumbled Snall. He could hardly speak.

"You've been drinking too much--that's the reason."

"Humph!"

"We are going to run them machines an' don't you forgit it," mumbled
Hellig, and lurched forward.

"Don't you ride with those intoxicated fellows," said one of the hotel
guests.

"We don't intend to," answered Dick. "All ready, Tom?" he called out.

"Yes."

"Then go ahead. I'll catch up to you."

"Hi, you stop!" screamed Snall, as one of the automobiles began to move
off down the road. But Tom paid no attention to him.

Running swiftly, Dick reached the other car and hopped up to the
chauffeur's seat. He had watched the driver operate the car and knew
exactly what to do. He soon had the engine running and then he threw in
the speed clutch just as Hellig lurched up.

"You mustn't run away with that machine!" he roared.

"Keep away!" cried Sam, and leaning out of the car he gave the
chauffeur a shove that sent him flat on his back in the dust of the
road. Then the car moved off. As those in the automobile looked back
they saw Hellig arise and shake his fist after them, and Snall waved
his arms wildly.

"We'll hear from them again, I suppose," said Sam.

"And they'll hear from me," answered Dick, "and the fellow who sent
them out to run the cars for us will hear from me, too," he added.

Tom was quite a distance ahead, but they soon caught up to his car. By
this time they were out of sight and hearing of the hotel, and going
down the other side of the hill they had come up.

"If you wish, you can take the lead," said the fun-loving Rover to his
older brother. "I don't know a thing about these roads."

"We'll have to trust to luck and the signboards," returned Dick.

"It will be all right if only you don't get on some road that is
impassible," put in Fred.

"And get stuck thirty miles from nowhere," added Songbird.

"You stick to dem roads vot haf stones on dem got," said Hans wisely.
"Ton't you vos drust der car to der tirt roads, no!"

"I shall follow Hans' advice and stick to the good roads," said Dick.
"I think the signboards will help us to get back to Philadelphia sooner
or later."

They sped down the hill and there found the road turned to the left and
crossed a small stream. Then they reached a corner with several
signboards.

"Hurrah! that's the way to Philly!" cried Sam.

"But it doesn't say how many miles," protested Grace.

"Never mind, we are bound to get there before dark, and that is all we
care," came from Nellie.

In the exhilaration of running the cars, Dick and Tom soon forgot about
the trouble with the chauffeurs. It was great sport, and as soon as
Dick "got the hang of it," as he said, he let the speed out, notch by
notch. His car ran a trifle more easily than did the other and before
long he was a good half mile ahead of that run by Tom. Those in the
rear shouted for him to slow down, but the wind prevented him from
hearing their calls.

"This is something like, isn't it?" said Dick to Dora, who was beside
him.

"Oh, it is splendid!" she replied enthusiastically. "I feel as if I
could go on riding forever!"

"An auto certainly beats a team all to bits, if the road is good."

They passed up another hill, and then through a patch of woods. Then
they made a sharp turn, and the car began to descend over a road that
was filled with loose stones.

"Say, Dick, you'd better slow up," cautioned Sam, as the machine gave a
quick lurch over a stone. "This road isn't as smooth as it was."

"I know it."

"I saw a road to our right," said Grace. "Perhaps we should have taken
that."

There was no time to say more, for the automobile was jouncing over the
stones in too lively a manner. Alarmed, Dick, who had already shut off
the power, applied the brake, but he was not used to this and he jammed
it fast so it did not altogether prevent the car from advancing.

"Oh, we must stop!" screamed Dora, a moment later. "Look ahead!"

Dick did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. Below them the stony
road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other
some thick bushes. In the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon
filled with lime. Should they hit the turnout below somebody would
surely be hurt and perhaps killed.




CHAPTER XIV

WHAT A ROMAN CANDLE DID


It was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that Dick
Rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose
his presence of mind. As the others in the automobile arose to leap out
he called to them:

"Sit down! Don't jump! I'll look out for things!"

Then, even as he spoke, Dick turned the steering wheel and sent the big
machine crashing into the bushes to one side of the roadway. He chose a
spot that was comparatively level, and in five seconds they came to a
halt just in front of half a dozen trees.

"We must take care of Tom's machine!" cried Sam, and leaped over the
back of the automobile. The machine had cut down the bushes, so the
path was clear and he ran with might and main to the roadway. At the
top of the hill was the second car, coming along at a good speed.

"Stop! stop!" he yelled, frantically, and waved his arms in the air.

Tom saw the movement and knew at once something was wrong. He threw off
the power and applied the emergency brake and the automobile just
passed Sam and no more.

"What's the matter?" came from everyone in the second car.

"That's what's the matter," answered Sam, pointing to the foot of the
rocky hill. "That wagon--Well, I declare!"

The youngest Rover stared and well he might, for the farmer's turnout
with the load of lime had disappeared from view. The farmer had turned
into a field at the bottom of the hill just as Dick turned his car into
the bushes.

"I don't see anything," said Nellie. And then Sam had to explain and
point out the situation of the first car.

"I guess I can get down the hill well enough," said Tom. "But this
appears to be a poor road. We ought to try to find something better."

All those in the second car got out and walked to that which was
stalled in the bushes. They found Dick and Fred walking around the
machine trying to learn if any damage had been done.

"We might have kept right on," said Sam, and explained why.

"Well, we are here, and now comes the problem of getting back on the
road," said the eldest Rover. "I don't think I can back very well in
here."

"Better make a turn on the down grade," suggested Sam. "We can cut down
some of the big bushes that are in the way, and fill up some of the
holes with stones."

It was decided to do this, and all of the boys took off their coats and
went to work. Soon they had a fairly clear path, and after backing away
a few feet from the trees, Dick turned downward in a semi-circle, and
got out once more on the road. This time he was mindful to use the
brake with care, and consequently he gained the bottom of the stony
hill without further mishap, and the second machine came after him.

"There is that farmer," said Songbird. "Why not ask him about the
roads?"

"I will," said Dick, and stalked into the field.

"This ain't no good road to Philadelphia," said the farmer, when
questioned. "Better go back up the hill and take the road on the
right."

"We can't get back very well."

"Then you had better go along this road an' take the first turn to the
left and after that the next turn to the right. You'll have about three
miles o' poor roads, but then you'll be all right, but the distance to
the city is six miles longer."

There was no help for it and they went on, over dirt roads which were
anything but good. They had to go slowly, and Tom kept the second car
far to the rear, to escape the thick dust sent up by the leading
machine.

"This isn't so fine," declared Dick, with a grimace at Dora. "I am
sorry we took that false turn at the top of the hill."

"Oh, we'll have to take the bitter with the sweet," answered the girl,
lightly.

"I shan't mind it if you don't, Dora."

"Don't worry, Dick, I am not minding it a bit. I am only glad we got
rid of that intoxicated chauffeur. He might have gotten us into far
more trouble than this."

Inside of an hour they found themselves on a good stone road and
reached a signboard put up by the automobile association, telling the
exact distance to Philadelphia. This set them at ease mentally, and
they started off at a speed of twenty miles an hour. Tom wanted to "let
her out," as he put it, but Nellie demurred and so he kept to the rear
as before.

"But some day I am going to have a machine of my own," said he, "and it
is going to do some speeding, I can tell you that."

"Yah, and der first dings you know, Dom, you vos ub a dree odder you
sphlit a rock insides owid," warned Hans. "Ven I ride so fast like dot
I valk, I pet you!"

It was dark long before the city was reached and they had to stop to
light the lamps, and they also had to fix the batteries of the second
car. Fred, who was getting hungry, suggested they stop somewhere for
something to eat, but the girls demurred.

"Wait until the ride is ended," said Dora; "Then we can take our time
over supper."

As night came on they saw fireworks displayed here and there and
enjoyed the sights greatly.

"I've got some fireworks on the yacht," said Tom. "I reckon I'll be
rather late setting them off."

While they were yet three miles from the river they stopped at a drug
store and there Dick telephoned to the owner of the machines,
explaining matters, and asking the man to send down to the dock for the
cars.

"He's pretty angry," said Dick, as he leaped into the automobile again.
"He says we had no right to run off with the cars."

"Well, he had no right to send us off with those awful chauffeurs,"
answered Dora.

"Oh, I'm not afraid of anything he'll do," answered Dick.

Nevertheless, he was a bit anxious as he reached the dock, and he lost
no time in sending the girls to the yacht with Songbird, and he asked
his chum to send Mr. Rover ashore.

A minute later a light runabout spun up and a tall, thin man, with a
sour face, leaped out and strode up to the two machines.

"Who hired these machines, I want to know?" he demanded.

"I did," answered Dick boldly. "Are you the manager of the garage?"

"I am, and I want to know by what right you've been running the cars
without the regular drivers?"

"We wanted to get back to the city and the chauffeurs were in no
condition to bring us back," put in Tom.

"What have you to do with it, young man?"

"I drove one car and my brother here drove the other. We didn't hurt
the machines and you ought to be glad we brought them back in good
condition."

"Humph! You hadn't any license to run them."

"We took the liberty of doing so," said Dick. "If you want to get angry
about it, I'll get angry myself. You had no right to place those cars
in the hands of unreliable men. You risked our lives by so doing."

"Those men are reliable enough. One of them telephoned to me you had
run away with the autos."

"The folks at the Dardell Hotel will tell you how reliable they were. I
warned them not to drink, but they did, and they were in no condition
to run any automobile."

"I don't allow just anybody to run my machines," stormed the man. "They
are expensive pieces of property."

"Well, they are not worth as much as our necks, not by a good deal,"
said Tom.

"Don't you get impudent, young fellow!"

"He is not impudent," said Dick. "Your machines are all right--we
didn't hurt them in the least. But I can tell you one thing," he
proceeded earnestly. "We don't propose to pay for the hire of the
chauffeurs."

"That's the talk," broke in Fred. "Pay him for the use of the cars
only."

"You'll pay the whole bill!" growled the automobile owner.

"Not a cent more than the hire of the two cars," said Tom.

The man began to storm, and threatened to have them locked up for
running the cars without a license. But in the end he accepted the
money Dick offered him.

"Maybe you haven't heard the end of this," he muttered.

"If you make trouble, perhaps I'll do the same," answered Dick, and
then he and the others went aboard the yacht, where a late supper
awaited them. Mr. Rover had heard of the unreliable chauffeurs and he
was even more indignant than his sons.

"I don't think that owner will show himself again," he said. "If he
does I'll take care of him." The man was never heard of; and that ended
the affair.

"We had a splendid time anyway," declared Grace, and the other girls
agreed with her.

Tom had not forgotten about his fireworks, and after supper he invited
the crowd to the deck and gave them quite an exhibition.

"Here, Hans, you can set off this Roman candle," he said, presently.
"Show the ladies how nicely you can do it. But take off your coat and
roll up your shirt sleeve before you begin," he added, with a dig into
Sam's ribs, which meant, "watch for fun."

Quite innocently the German lad took off his coat and rolled his shirt
sleeve up over his elbow. Then he took the big Roman candle and lit it.

"Now swing it around lively," cried Tom, and Hans began to describe
little circles with the Roman candle. Soon the sparks began to pour
forth, and not a few came down on the bare wrist and forearm.

"Ouch! ouch!" yelled Hans, dancing around. "_Ach du meine zeit!_
Say, somepody sthop dot! I vos purn mineselluf ub alretty!"

"Swing it around quicker!" cried Dick.

"Turn it in the shape of a figure eight!" suggested Fred.

"Loop the loop with it," came from Sam.

Around and around went the Roman candle and then bang! out shot a ball,
hitting one of the masts of the steam yacht. Then bang! went another
ball, hitting the top of the cabin.

"Hold it up straighter, Hans!" said Songbird. "Don't shoot somebody."

"If I hold him ub I burn mineselluf worser!" groaned the German youth.
"Here, you dake him, Sam, I got enough."

"No, no, Hans, I won't deprive you of the pleasure of shooting it off,"
answered the youngest Rover, and skipped out of the way.

[Illustration: HANS WAS HOPPING AROUND LIKE A MADMAN.]

One after another the balls, red, white and blue, poured from the Roman
candle. It was a pretty sight, but Hans' aim was more than bad, and one
hit the bow and another the stern, while a third whizzed past Dick's
ear. In the meantime Hans was hopping around like a madman, trying to
keep the sparks from his skin.

"Throw it overboard!" cried Mr. Rover, who was enjoying the fun, but
who was afraid somebody might get a fire ball in the face.

"Only a few more balls left," said Tom. "Hans, try to hit the top of
the mast--don't point it downward."

The German youth was too excited to listen to the advice. He continued
to dance around. Bang! went another ball and entered the cabin of the
steam yacht. Bang! came the final one and that too disappeared into the
interior of the craft Then the Roman candle went out, and Hans breathed
a sigh of relief.

"I vos glat dot is ofer," he said. "No more firevorks for me, not on
your kollarbuttons, no!"

"I hope they didn't do any damage in the cabin----" began Mrs. Stanhope
anxiously, when there came a cry from Aleck Pop.

"Stop dat fire from comin' down!" yelled the colored man. "De hull
cabin's in a blaze!"




CHAPTER XV

THE SAILING OF THE STEAM YACHT


The announcement made by Aleck Pop filled all on board the steam yacht
with consternation, and while Hans still nursed his arm and wrist the
other boys, with Anderson Rover and Captain Barforth, rushed down the
companionway.

A glance showed them what was the matter. One of the balls of fire had
struck a curtain and ignited the flimsy material. The fire was now
dropping down on some fireworks Tom had left on a chair. Just as they
entered a pinwheel, lying flat, began to fizz, sending a shower of
sparks across the other pieces.

"Quick! out with that stuff!" cried Anderson Rover and sent the
pinwheel flying into a corner with his hand. Then he stepped on it,
putting out the fire.