"I don't know but what you are right. We intend to make a big thing out
of you, Dick Rover."

"How?"

"I told you before you'd find out soon enough."

"I presume you'll try to make my father ransom me, or something like
that."

"We'll about make him give up that mining claim."

"You were going to make him give that up before."

"Well, we won't trip up this time. Our plans are carefully laid."

"You were always good at bragging, Dan Baxter."

"Don't insult me, Dick Rover."

"I am telling the plain truth."

With a sudden darkening of his face Dan Baxter strode forward.

"Dick Rover, I hate you, always have hated you, and always will hate
you. Take that for your impudence."

He struck out and slapped the helpless boy heavily upon the cheek.
Then, as Dick sank back in the chair, he turned and left the cabin,
closing and locking the door after him.

At half-past four in the morning the _Peacock_ got under way, and
in less than an hour was far out upon the broad waters of Lake Erie.




CHAPTER VI.

HUNTING FOR DICK.


"Dick must be drowned."

It was Tom who spoke, addressing Sam and Aleck Pop.

For hours they had searched among the floating lumber for some sign of
the missing one, and the only thing that had been found was Dick's cap,
caught in a crack of one of the timbers.

"It's awful!" murmured Sam. His face was white and he was ready to cry,
for Dick was very dear to him.

"Perhaps dat steamboat dun pick him up," suggested Pop. He wanted to
say something comforting.

"I pray to Heaven she did," murmured Tom. "I suppose the best thing we
can do now is to steer for Cleveland."

"Yes, that's the only hope left," answered Sam. "If he was floating
around here we would surely have spotted him before this with the
glass."

The course was changed, and toward nightfall they came in sight of
Cleveland, and learned where they could tie up, at a spot close to
where the steamer had made her landing.

Their first inquiries were at this point, and from a longshoreman they
quickly learned that two persons had been picked up by the steamer, a
big man and a young fellow.

"It must be Dick!" cried Sam.

"Where did they take the young fellow?" questioned Tom.

"A man and a big boy came from the steamer and took charge of him,"
answered the longshoreman.

"Don't you know where they went?"

"No; most likely to the hospital. The young fellow was in pretty bad
shape. They got in a coach."

"Did the other man who was saved go along?"

"No; he's all right, and is around here looking for you folks--so he
told me. He--here he comes now."

The longshoreman pointed to Luke Peterson, who had just appeared at the
upper end of the dock. Both Sam and Tom ran to meet him.

"So you are Dick Rover's brothers," said Peterson, as he shook hands.
"Glad to know you. Yes, your brother is all right, although mighty
tucked out by the exposure. He fell in with a couple o' friends on the
steamer, and they took him up to the Commercial Hotel."

As Peterson was curious to know how Dick was faring, he agreed to
accompany Sam and Tom to the hotel, and all three boarded a handy
street car for that purpose.

"I wish to see my brother, Dick Rover," said Tom to the clerk at the
desk.

"Not stopping here, sir," was the reply, after the clerk had consulted
the register.

"I mean the young man who was hauled out of the lake and was brought
here feeling rather sick."

The clerk shook his head. "No such person here."

Sam and Tom stared in astonishment, and then turned to the lumberman.

"The friends who were with him said they were going to bring him here,"
said Luke Peterson. "And I promised to send you after 'em as soon as I
spotted ye."

"I don't understand--" began Tom, and then turned swiftly to Sam. "Can
this be some of Arnold Baxter's work?"

"It may be. Mr. Peterson, how did the man who was with my brother
look?"

As well as he could Luke Peterson described Arnold Baxter, and also
Dan. Tom gave a low whistle.

"I'll wager poor Dick has fallen into the hands of the enemy," he
cried.

"What enemy?" questioned the lumberman.

In as few words as possible Tom and Sam explained the situation,
concluding by saying they had discovered Arnold Baxter on the steamer.
The story made Luke Peterson look very grave.

"Reckon we let your brother git into the wrong hands," he observed.

"The question is, where did they take Dick?"

"That's so, where?"

"Evidently they didn't come here at all."

"Perhaps, if I could find that coach driver, I might learn somethin'."

"That's so--let us find him by all means."

But to find the driver was not easy, and by midnight the search was
abandoned. Much dejected, Sam and Tom returned to the _Swallow_,
and Luke Peterson accompanied them. Peterson was also downhearted,
having heard nothing of the tug which had been towing the lumber raft
or of his friend Bragin.

"I'll notify the police in the morning," said Tom, and did so. He also
sent a telegram to his father, telling of what had happened. The police
took up the case readily, but brought nothing new to light.

"I'm going to interview every cabby in town," said Tom, and proceeded
to do so, accompanied by Luke Peterson and Sam.

At five o'clock in the afternoon they found the coach driver who had
taken Dick from the dock.

"The man said they had no rooms vacant at the Commercial Hotel," said
the coach driver. "So he had me drive the party to Dr. Karley's Private
Sanitarium."

"Where is that?"

"On the outskirts, about a mile and a half from here."

"Can you take us there now?"

"Sorry, but I've got a job in quarter of an hour."

"We'll pay you double fare," put in Sam. "Get somebody else to take
that other job."

To this the coach driver readily agreed, but to make the arrangement
took time, and it was six o'clock before they were on the way to Dr.
Karley's place.

When they reached the sanitarium they found the building dark, with the
shutters on the ground floor tightly closed. Dr. Karley answered Tom's
summons in person.

"Yes, the parties were here," he said smoothly. "But I could not
accommodate them, and so they went elsewhere."

"Elsewhere?" echoed Tom.

"Exactly, sir."

"But our coach driver says they got off here. He was the one who
brought them."

At this announcement the face of the physician changed color for an
instant. But he quickly recovered himself.

"Well--er--they did get off here, as the sick young man wished to rest.
When I said I couldn't accommodate them the older man went off and got
another coach, and all three went off in that."

"To where?"

"I do not know, although I recommended the general hospital to them."

"They did not go to any of the city institutions."

"Then perhaps they went to a hotel."

"We have inquired at every hotel in town."

The little old doctor shrugged his bony shoulders. "I am sorry, but I
can give you no further information."

"How was the sick young man when he was here?"

"He didn't appear to be very sick. Had he been bad I would have
certainly done more for him."

"And you haven't the least idea where they went to?"

"I have not."

"It's mighty strange," was Tom's blunt comment. "Do you know who the
sick young man was?"

"I haven't the slightest idea. I never ask questions unless they are
necessary."

"He was my brother, and those fellows who had him in charge are his
enemies and up to no good."

"Indeed!" And Dr. Karley elevated his shaggy eyebrows in well-assumed
surprise.

"I am bound to find my brother, and if you know anything more you had
better tell me," went on Tom bluntly.

The random shaft struck home, and the old doctor started back in
dismay.

"Why--er--surely you do not--er--suspect me of--ahem--of anything
wrong?" he stammered.

"I want to get at the truth. Which way did they go when they drove
off?"

"Directly for town."

"And when was this?"

"Inside of half an hour after they got here."

"Did they give any names?"

"No. It was not necessary, since I could not take them in."

"Your place doesn't seem to be very crowded."

At this the physician glared angrily at Tom.

"Boy, it seems to me that you are growing impudent!" he cried. "I am
not accustomed to being addressed in this fashion. I think I had better
bid you good-night."

The two were standing in the hallway, and now the doctor opened the
door to signify that the interview was over.

"All right, I'll go," muttered Tom. "But I am going to get to the
bottom of this affair, don't you forget that." And then he hurried out
and rejoined Sam and Peterson at the coach.

"He may be telling the truth," said the coach driver, on hearing what
Tom had to say. "But, all the same, I was driving around these streets
for a good hour after I left here, and I saw no other rig with those
men and your brother in it."

"I am inclined to think the doctor is humbugging us," answered Tom.
"But the thing is to prove it."

"Perhaps you had better watch the place for a while," suggested the
lumberman.

"Do you know anything of this doctor--what sort of a reputation he
has?" asked Sam of the driver.

"His reputation is none of the best," was the answer. "He has been in
court twice because of the people he treats."

"Then he wouldn't be above helping Arnold Baxter--if he was paid for
it," said Tom.

All entered the coach and drove off around the nearest corner.

Then Tom and Sam got out and walked away, intending to come up at the
rear of the sanitarium.

Presently a carriage appeared in view, driven by a man who, in the
gloom, appeared strangely familiar, despite his false beard.

"Arnold Baxter!" cried Sam. "Hi, there, whoa!"

He ran toward the carriage and caught the horse by the bridle. Tom
followed, and the man, who was just returning from taking Dick to the
_Peacock_, was brought to bay.




CHAPTER VII.

THE ESCAPE OF ARNOLD BAXTER.


"Arnold Baxter, where is my brother Dick?" demanded Tom, as he reached
the carriage and caught the evildoer by the arm.

To say that Arnold Baxter was astonished would be to put it altogether
too mildly. He was completely dumfounded.

"You!" he said slowly, hardly knowing how to speak after he had caught
his breath.

"Yes, you rascal. Where is Dick."

"Dick?"

"Yes, Dick."

"I know nothing of your brother. This is a--a complete surprise. I
didn't know you were in Cleveland."

"Perhaps not. But let me tell you that we know your game, and we are
going to hand you over to the law."

"Never!" Arnold Baxter fairly hissed out the words. "Let go of that
horse"--the latter words to Sam.

"Don't you do it!" cried Tom, and then he caught Arnold Baxter by the
leg. "Come out of the carriage."

A fierce struggle ensued, and, afraid that Tom would get the worst of
it, Sam set up a loud shout for help.

"You whelp! I'll fix you!" ejaculated Arnold Baxter, and catching up
the whip, he struck at Tom with the butt end. He caught the youth
directly over the head, and Tom went down as if shot.

"Let Tom alone," screamed Sam. "Help! help!"

"Who is it?" came from a distance, and Luke Peterson hove into sight.
"Hullo! the man we are after."

He made a dive for Arnold Baxter, but the latter was too quick for him,
and leaped from the opposite side of the carriage to the ground. The
horse now became frightened and set off on a run, directly for a lane
behind Dr. Karley's institution.

"Tom, are you badly hurt?" questioned Sam, but, even as he spoke, Tom
tried to stagger to his feet. Seeing this, Sam began a chase after
Baxter, with the lumberman beside him.

Arnold Baxter was fleet of foot, and realizing what capture meant--a
return to prison with his sentence to be served once more from the
beginning--he ran as never before, straight for the dock where the
_Peacock_ lay.

[Illustration: THE HORSE NOW BECAME FRIGHTENED AND SET OFF ON A RUN.]

His first thought was to board the schooner and set sail out into the
lake, but a second thought convinced him that this would be unwise.

"They will follow me on a tug or steamer, and the jig will be up in no
time," he said to himself "I must find some hiding place."

Many of the docks were inclosed by high board fences, and coming to one
of these, he leaped over and made his way to a huge pile of
merchandise. Here he crouched down and kept as quiet as a mouse.

Sam and Peterson, followed by Tom, traced him to the fence, but once on
the opposite side, lost all track of the rascal.

"He's gone," said Tom, after running hither and thither on the dock.
"He has given us the slip nicely."

"He can't be far off," returned Sam. "I believe he was bound for that
doctor's sanitarium when we spotted him."

"So do I, and I wouldn't wonder if poor Dick is at the place, a
prisoner."

The matter was talked over for several minutes, and the two brothers
decided to return to Dr. Karley's sanitarium. The lumberman said he
would remain around the docks on the lookout for Arnold Baxter.

"If you catch him I'll give you fifty dollars," said Tom. "My father, I
know, will pay the amount willingly."

"I'll do my best," answered Peterson. He was by no means rich and glad
enough of a chance to make such a sum. Besides this, the ways of the
Rover boys appeared to please him.

When Sam and Tom returned to the doctor's place they found the coach
driver still at hand, he having caught Arnold Baxter's horse at the
entrance to the lane.

"Take him to the stable and ask the doctor if the rig is his," said
Tom, and the coach driver agreed. He was gone the best part of quarter
of an hour.

"The doctor says it is his horse and carriage, but he also says he
didn't know the turnout was out," he announced, with a grin. "He's an
oily one, he is!"

"Right you are, but he can't stuff us with his fairy tales," replied
Tom. "Do you suppose there is a policeman handy?"

"There is probably one somewhere around."

"I wish you would hunt him up and bring him here."

"What are you going to do?"

"Dare the lion in his den; eh, Sam?"

"Right, Tom! That doctor must know a good deal more than he is wiling
to tell."

The coach driver went off, and walking around to the front of the
sanitarium the boys rang the bell sharply.

There was no answer to the summons, and then Tom gave the bell knob a
jerk which nearly broke it off. A second-story window was thrown open
with a bang.

"I want you boys to go away!" came in angry tones.

"And I want you to come down and let us in," retorted Tom.

"I won't let you in. I've told you all I know, and that is the end of
it."

"It's not the end of it, Dr. Karley. We want to know how you came to
let Arnold Baxter have your horse and carriage."

"I didn't know the horse and carriage were out of the stable. The man
must have taken them on the sly."

"It's not likely. Open the door and let us in--it will be best for
you."

"Ha, you threaten me!"

"I've done more than that-I've sent for a policeman."

At this announcement the old doctor grated his teeth savagely. He was
much disturbed and knew not how to proceed.

"I was a fool to go into this thing," he muttered. "It may lead to all
sorts of trouble. I must get myself clear somehow."

"Are you going to let us in?" went on Tom.

"Yes, I will let you in. But allow me to state that you are acting very
foolishly," answered the doctor, and dropped the window. A few minutes
later he appeared at the door, which he opened very gingerly.

"You can come into the parlor," he said stiffly.

"We'll remain right here," answered Tom, afraid of some sort of a trap.

"Well, what do you want?"

"I want to know where that young man, my brother, is."

"The man who was with him said he was his nephew."

"It was a falsehood. Now where is my brother?"

"Honestly, I have not the slightest idea."

"What was that man doing with your carriage?"

"I repeat, young man, I did not know he had the carriage." The old
doctor drew a long breath, wondering how soon an officer of the law
would appear. "Of course if anything is wrong I am perfectly willing to
do all I can to set it right. My institution is above reproach, and I
wish to keep it so."

"Are you willing to let me look through your place?"

"So you think your brother is here?"

"I do."

"You are very forward. Still, to convince you that you are mistaken,
you are at liberty to go through my place from top to bottom. But you
must not disturb any of the patients."

"All right; let us go through. Sam, you remain here, on the watch for
that policeman."

With bad grace Dr. Karley led the way and took Tom through the
sanitarium from top to bottom, even allowing him to peep into the rooms
occupied by the "boarders," as the medical man called them. Of course
there was no trace of Dick.

"Now I trust you are satisfied," said the doctor, when they were again
at the front door.

"I am not satisfied about that carriage affair," returned Tom, as
bluntly as ever.

"Well, I have told you the truth."

At this moment the coach driver came in sight, accompanied by a
policeman.

"What's the trouble?" demanded the officer of the law.

Tom and Sam told their tale, and then the doctor had his say, and the
driver related what he knew.

"Certainly a queer mix-up," remarked the policeman. He turned to the
Rovers. "What do you want to do?"

"I want to find my brother, who has disappeared," said Tom.

"You say you have searched through here?"

"I have--after a fashion."

"You can go through, if you wish," said the doctor to the officer.

"I reckon my brother is gone," went on Tom. "But this doctor helped the
rascals who spirited him away."

"I did absolutely nothing," cried Dr. Karley. "I am willing to aid you
all I can. But I am innocent. I received no pay for giving the
unfortunate young man some medicine to strengthen him, and my horse and
carriage were taken without my knowledge."

A long and bitter war of words followed, but in the end the doctor was
left to himself.

"We'll make no charge against him yet," said Tom to the policeman. "But
I wish you would keep an eye on the institution--in case that rascal
puts in an appearance again."

"I will," returned the officer.

A little while later Sam and Tom set out to rejoin Luke Peterson. When
they gained the dock they saw nobody.

"He ought to be somewhere about," said the younger Rover.

They tramped about from place to place for fully an hour.

Presently they came close to where the _Swallow_ lay. Had they but
known it, the _Peacock_, with poor Dick on board, lay but three
blocks further away.

"My gracious!" cried Sam suddenly.

He had seen a form stretched motionless across some lumber lying near.

The form was that of Luke Peterson, and his cheek and temple were
covered with blood.




CHAPTER VIII.

ON THE LAKE AGAIN.


"Peterson!" cried Tom, in dismay.

"Can he be dead?" came from Sam. Then he bent over the lumberman. "No,
he still lives. But he has been treated most shamefully."

"This must be some more of Arnold Baxter's work"

"Or else the work of some footpad."

Both boys knelt over the prostrate form of the lumberman and did what
they could to restore him to his senses.

In this they were partly successful.

"Don't hit me again! Please don't hit me!" the man moaned, over and
over again.

"You're safe," said Tom. But Peterson paid no attention, and only
begged them not to hit him.

"Let us carry him to the _Swallow_," suggested Sam, and between
them they did so.

"Wot's dis?" asked Aleck Pop, in astonishment.

"He is our friend, and has been struck down," answered Tom. "Get some
water in a basin, and a little liquor."

When the colored man returned with the articles mentioned both boys
washed the wounded man's head and bound it up with a towel. Then Tom
administered a few spoonfuls of liquor. This seemed to give Peterson
some strength, but he did not fully recover for some hours.

"Follow the _Peacock_," were his first rational words. "Follow the
schooner _Peacock_."

"The _Peacock_?" repeated Tom. "Why should we follow her?"

"Your brother is on board." And having spoken thus, the lumberman sank
again into semi-unconsciousness.

"Can he be telling the truth, or is he out of his head?" questioned
Sam.

"I'm sure I don't know, Sam."

"Perhaps we had better look around for the schooner he mentioned."

"All right, I'll do so. You stay here with Aleck."

"Hadn't I better go with you?"

"No, I'll keep my eyes open," concluded Tom, and hurried away.

It was now dawn, and the early workers were just getting to their
employment. Soon Tom met a couple of watchmen and hailed them.

"I am looking for the schooner _Peacock_," said he. "Do you know
anything of the craft?"

"Sure, an' that's Gus Langless' boat," said one of the watchmen. "She's
lying at the end of Bassoon's wharf, over yonder."

"Thank you," and Tom started away.

The wharf mentioned was a long one, and it took some time for the youth
to reach the outer end. As he ran he saw a boat in the distance, moving
away with all sails set. Of course he could not make out her name, but
he saw that she was schooner-rigged, and felt certain she must be the
craft for which he was searching.

At the end of the pier he met a dock hand, who had been resting in a
nearby shed.

"Is that boat the _Peacock_?" he asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Do you know anything of the people on board?"

"I do not."

"Has she a cargo?"

"I believe not."

"You didn't see anybody going on her?"

"Hold up! Yes, I did; a young fellow and a man."

"Was the young man in a feeble state?"

"He seemed to be."

"Thank you."

Tom turned away with something of a groan. "Dick must be on board of
that craft, along with the Baxters. Oh, what luck we are having! Now
what ought I to do next?"

His wisest move would have been to have informed the authorities, but
Tom was too much upset mentally to think of that. With all speed he
returned to the _Swallow_.

"The _Peacock_ has sailed!" he cried. "We must follow her!"

"You are certain?" queried Sam.

"Yes, I saw her in the distance. Come, let us get after her before it
is too late."

As Luke Peterson was now doing fairly well, all of the others ran on
deck, and soon the _Swallow_ was in pursuit of the schooner. At
first but little could be seen of the _Peacock_, but when the sun
came up they saw her plainly, heading toward the northwest.

"We must keep her in sight," said Tom.

"Yes, but supposing the Baxters are on board, how can we capture them?"
came from Sam. "We are but three, or four at the most, counting
Peterson, while that craft must carry a crew of five or six."

"We can hail some other boat to help us. The main thing is not to lose
track of the rascals."

The breeze was all that could be desired, and once the shore was left
behind they kept the _Peacock_ in sight with ease. But, try their
best, they gained but little on the larger boat.

As there was now nothing to do but to let the yacht do her best, Tom
left Sam at the wheel and turned his attention to Peterson. The
lumberman was now able to sit up, although very weak.

"I discovered Arnold Baxter and tracked him to the schooner's dock," he
said. "His son came to the dock, and from what they said I am sure your
brother is on the craft. Then they discovered me, and the father struck
me down with the butt of a pistol he carried. After that all was a
blank until I found myself here."

"You can be thankful you weren't killed."

"I suppose so. I shall not rest until that villain is brought to
justice. But what are ye up to now, lad?"

"We are in pursuit of the _Peacock_."

"On the lake or up the river?"

"On the lake."

"Can you keep her in sight?"

"So far we seem to be holding our own."

"Good! I'd go on deck and help ye, but I feel kind o' strange-like in
the legs."

"Better keep quiet for the present. We may need you later on."

"Got any firearms on board?"

"Yes, a gun and two pistols."

"Ye may want 'em afore ye git through with that crowd. They are bad
ones."

"We know them thoroughly, Mr. Peterson. We have been acquainted with
them for years." And then Tom told of how Dan Baxter had been the bully
at Putnam Hall, and how he had run away to join his rascally father,
and of how Arnold Baxter had been Mr. Rover's enemy since the days of
early mining in the West.

"O' course they are carrying off your brother fer a purpose," said the
lumberman. "Like as not they'll try to hit your father through him."

"I presume that is the game."

The morning wore away slowly, but as the sun mounted higher the breeze
gradually died down.

The _Peacock_ was the first to feel the going down of the wind,
and slowly, but surely, the _Swallow_ crept closer to the
schooner.

But at last both vessels came to a standstill, about quarter of a mile
apart.

"Now what's to do?" questioned Sam dismally.

"I reckon we can whistle for a breeze," returned his brother.

"Whistling won't do us any good. I've been wondering if we could not do
some rowing in the small boat."

"Hurrah! just the thing!"

There was a small rowboat stored away on board the _Swallow_, and
this was now brought forth, along with two pairs of oars.

"Gwine ter row ober, eh?" observed Aleck Pop. "Racken you dun bettah
been careful wot youse do."

"We shall go armed," answered Tom.

The boys soon had the rowboat floating on the lake, and they leaped in,
each with a pair of oars, and with a pistol stowed away in his pocket.

From the start those on board of the _Peacock_ had been afraid
that the yacht was following them, and now they were certain of it.

"Two boys putting off in a rowboat," announced Captain Langless.

"They are Tom and Sam Rover," answered Arnold Baxter, after a brief
survey through a marine glass.

"How did they get to know enough to follow this craft?"

"I'm sure I don't know. But those Rover boys are slick, and always
were."

"What will you do when they come up?"

"Warn them off."

"I've got an idea, dad," came from Dan.

"Well?"

"Why not get out of sight and let Captain Langless invite them on
board, to look for Dick. Then we can bag them and put them with Dick."

"By Jove, that is a scheme!" exclaimed the rascally parent. "Langless,
will you do it? Of course, we'll have to get out of sight until the
proper moment arrives."

"But if you bag 'em, what of those left on the _Swallow_?"
questioned the captain.

"There is only one man, a negro. He doesn't amount to anything."

"There may be more--one or two officers of the law."

Arnold Baxter used his glass again. "I see nobody but the darky. If
there were officers at hand, I am sure they would have come along in
that rowboat."

"I guess you are right about that."

"If we capture the boys the darky won't dare to follow us alone, and it
may be that we can capture him, too," went on Arnold Baxter.

By this time the rowboat was drawing closer, and Arnold Baxter and Dan
stepped out of sight behind the forecastle of the schooner.

A few additional words passed between Captain Langless and the Baxters,
and then the owner of the _Peacock_ awaited the coming of our
friends, who were now almost alongside, never suspecting the trap which
was set for them.




CHAPTER IX.

CAUGHT IN A TRAP.


"Do you see anything of the Baxters?" asked Sam, when the rowboat was
within a hundred feet of the schooner.

"I thought I did before, but I don't see them now," answered Tom.

"Rowboat, ahoy!" shouted Captain Langless. "What brings you?"

"I reckon you know well enough," Tom shouted back. "We are after Dick
Rover."

"Dick Rover? Who is he?"

"Your prisoner."

"Our prisoner?" The owner of the _Peacock_ put on a look of
surprise. "Really, you are talking in riddles."

"I don't think so. Where are Arnold Baxter and his son Dan?"

"Don't know anybody by that name."

"They went on board of your boat," put in Sam.

"You must be mistaken." Captain Langless turned to his mate. "Find any
stowaways on board?"

"Nary a one," was the mate's answer. "And just came up from the hold,
too."

This talk perplexed Tom and Sam not a little.

Was it possible Luke Peterson had made some mistake?

"We have it on pretty good authority that the Baxters are on board of
your boat, and that Dick Rover is aboard, too," said Sam.

"It's all a riddle to me," answered Captain Langless. "We are not in
the business of carrying prisoners. We are bound for Sandusky for a
cargo of flour."

This talk completely nonplused the boys, and they held a whispered
consultation.

"I don't believe him," said Sam.

"No more do I. But what shall we do about it?"

"I'm sure I don't know."

"You can come on board and look around, if you wish," called out the
owner of the schooner. "I want you to satisfy yourself that you are
mistaken."

"Shall we go?" whispered Tom. "It may be a trap?"

"He seems honest enough."

"Supposing I go and you stay in the rowboat? Then, if anything happens,
you can call on Aleck and Peterson for help."

So it was arranged, and in a minute more Tom was climbing up the ladder
which had been thrown over the _Peacock's_ side.

"Is the other young fellow coming?" asked the captain, who did not
fancy this move.

"No."

The captain scowled, but said no more.

Once on deck Tom looked around him curiously, and then moved toward the
companion way leading to the cabin. He felt instinctively that he was
in a dangerous position. As he crossed the deck several ill-appearing
sailors gazed at him curiously, but said nothing--being under strict
orders from the captain to remain silent in the presence of the
stranger.

The cabin of the _Peacock_ was a small affair, considering the
general size of the schooner, and contained but little in the shape of
furniture.

Dick had been removed long before, so the apartment was empty of human
occupants when Tom entered.

"Nobody here," he murmured, as he gazed around. "What foolishness to
come, anyway! The Baxters could easily hide on me, if they wanted to."

He was about to leave the cabin when a form darkened the companion way,
and Arnold Baxter appeared.

"Silence!" commanded the man, and pointed a pistol at Tom's head.

The sight of the rascal startled the youth and the look on Baxter's
face caused him to shiver.

"So you are here, after all," he managed to
 say.

"Silence!" repeated Arnold Baxter, "unless you want to be shot."

"Where is my brother Dick?"

Before Arnold Baxter could reply Dan put in an appearance, carrying a
pair of handcuffs.

"Now, we'll get square with you, Tom Rover," said the bully harshly.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Make you a prisoner. Hold out your hands."

"And if I refuse?"

"You won't refuse," put in Arnold Baxter, and, lowering his pistol, he
leaped behind Tom and caught him by the arms. At the same time Dan
attacked the lad in front and poor Tom was soon handcuffed. Then he was
led out of the cabin by a rear way, a door was opened, and he was
thrust into the blackness of the hold. But ere this was accomplished he
let out one long, loud cry for help which reached Sam's ears quite
plainly.

"Hi! what are you doing to my brother?" ejaculated the younger Rover.
He had brought the rowboat close up alongside the schooner.

"I don't know what's up," answered the mate of the _Peacock_.
"Better come aboard and see."

"He has fallen down the hatchway!" cried Captain Langless. "Poor chap!
he's hurt himself quite badly." And he disappeared, as if going to
Tom's assistance.

If Sam had been in a quandary before, he was doubly so now. Had Tom
really fallen, or had he been attacked?

"I can't leave him alone," he thought, and without further hesitation
leaped up the side of the schooner with the agility of a cat.

It was a fatal movement, for scarcely had he reached the deck when he
was pounced upon by Captain Langless and held fast until Arnold Baxter
appeared.

"Let me go!" cried Sam, but his protest proved of no avail. A lively
scuffle followed, but the lad was no match for the men, and in the end
he found himself handcuffed and thrown into the hold beside Tom.

"Tie the rowboat fast to the stern," ordered Arnold Baxter, and this
was done.

The going down of the wind was only temporary, and now a slight breeze
sprang up.

"We are in luck!" said the captain of the schooner.

"We must keep away from the yacht," returned Arnold Baxter.

Soon the schooner's sails were filling and she continued on her course,
dragging the small boat behind her. Aleck Pop saw the movement and grew
much perplexed.

"Dat don't look right to me, nohow!" he muttered. "'Pears lak da was
bein' tuk along sumway!"

Aleck was not much of a sailor, but he had been out enough to know how
to handle the yacht under ordinary circumstances, and now he did his
best to follow the _Peacock_.

With the glass he watched eagerly for the reappearance of Sam and Tom,
and his face became a study when fully half an hour passed and they
failed to show themselves.

"Da is in trouble, suah!" he told himself. "Now wot's dis yeah niggah
to do?"

He lashed the wheel fast and sought advice from Luke Peterson, who was
feeling stronger every minute. The burly lumberman shook his head
dubiously.

"In trouble for certain," was his comment. "Didn't hear any pistol
shots, did ye?"

"Didn't heah nuffin, sah."

"They wouldn't remain on board of that craft of their own free will."

"Don't specs da would, sah. De question is, sah: wot's to do?" And
Aleck scratched his woolly head thoughtfully.

"I don't know, excepting to keep the schooner in sight, if possible,
and see if something doesn't turn up. If you sight a steamer or a steam
tug let me know, and I'll try to get help."

So it was arranged, and Aleck returned to the wheel. The _Swallow_
was going along smoothly, and he did what he could to make the sails
draw as much as possible. Peterson now discovered the medicine chest of
the yacht, and from this got another dose of liquor, which afforded him
the temporary strength of which he was in so much need.

The coming of night found the two vessels far out upon the waters of
Lake Erie and nearly half a mile apart. Peterson now came on deck, to
keep an eye on things while Aleck prepared supper. It promised to
remain clear, but, as there would be no moon, Peterson was afraid that
they would lose sight of the _Peacock_ in the gathering darkness.

Supper was soon served, the lumberman eating first, and then Aleck
cleared away the few dishes and tidied up generally. The colored man
was much downcast.

"Fust it was Dick, an' now it am de whole t'ree of 'em," he remarked.
"I'se afraid dar is gwine ter be a bad endin' to dis yeah trip."

"We will have to take what comes," answered Peterson. "But I have taken
a fancy to those boys, and I'll stick by you to the end."

Slowly the darkness of night settled over the waters of the lake, and
with the going down of the sun the stars came forth, one after another.
During the last few hours several sail had been seen at a distance, but
none had come close enough to be hailed.

"We are going to lose her in the darkness, after all," announced the
lumberman, at about eight o'clock. "It's hard for me to see her, even
now."

Half an hour later the _Peacock_ disappeared in the gloom, and the
chase, for the time being, came to an end.




CHAPTER X.

THE ESCAPE FROM THE HOLD.


"Sam, is that you?"

"Yes."

"We are trapped!"

"It looks like it--or rather feels like it. I can't see a thing."

"Nor I. Did you find out anything about Dick?"

"No."

A groan came from the opposite end of the hold.

"Here I am. How in the world did you get here?"

"Dick, after all!" ejaculated Tom, and there was a slight trace of joy
in his tone. "Are you O. K., old man?"

"Hardly. They dosed me with drugs until my mind is topsy-turvy."

"I'm glad you are alive," came from Sam. "Where are you?"

"Here, lying on a couple of boxes. Look out how you move about, or you
may hurt yourselves."

Handcuffed as they were, Tom and Sam felt their way along through the
dark hold until they reached their elder brother's side. They grasped
his hands warmly.

"I'm glad we are together again, even if we are prisoners," remarked
Tom, and this was his younger brother's sentiment, too.

"How did you get here?" asked Dick, and each told his story from
beginning to end, and then the elder Rover had to relate his own
adventures.

"I knew that old doctor wasn't telling the truth," burst out Tom. "Oh,
but won't we have an account to settle with all of those chaps, if ever
we get out of this scrape."

"Don't let us hurrah until we are out of the woods," added Dick
soberly. "We are in the hands of a desperate gang, to my way of
reasoning."

"The Baxters are certainly bad enough."

"And any boat captain who would go into this game with them is probably
just as bad. Whom did you leave on the yacht?"

"Aleck, and the lumberman who was on the raft with you."

"I wonder if they will follow this schooner?"

No one could answer this question, and for several minutes there was a
silence. During that time they heard heavy footsteps cross and recross
the deck, but that was all. Presently the schooner began to rock
slightly.

"The wind is coming up," said Tom. "We are moving ahead again."

"That's bad for us--if the schooner manages to run away from the
yacht," rejoined Dick.

Soon the motion of the _Peacock_ showed that the schooner was
bowling along rapidly. They heard the creaking of tackle as additional
sails were hoisted, and felt certain that the craft was making the best
run at her command.

The hold had not been opened up for a long time, consequently the air
was foul as well as stifling from the heat.

"I'd give something for some fresh air," said Sam. "How is it with you,
Dick?"

"I want fresh air and a drink of water. I am as dry as a bale of
cotton."

"Haven't they given you anything since you came on board?" asked Tom.

"Not a thing."

"The inhuman wretches! Oh, I wish I had Dan Baxter here--I'd punch his
head good for him."

"Ditto the head of his rascally father," returned Dick. "I would like
to know just where they intend to take me--or rather all of us, now.
They certainly can't expect to keep us on board this craft."

"Perhaps they'll ship us to Canada."

"Hardly, since they couldn't land on the Canadian shore without an
inspection of the vessel."

"They have some plan up their sleeve, that's certain."

Slowly the hours wore away, until all sounds on deck ceased, and they
knew it must be well along in the night. Still the schooner kept on her
course.

All of the boys had been working at their bonds, but without success.
They wished they had a light, but neither Sam nor Tom had a match, and
Dick's pockets were entirely bare. Tom and Sam were likewise minus
their pistols, Arnold Baxter having taken the weapons away before
placing them in the hold.

The night proved to be a truly horrible one for the boys, for the hold
was overrun with rats, who became altogether too familiar. At first one
of the pests ran over Tom's legs.

"A rat!" he cried. "Hi, scat!" And the frisky rodent scampered off, but
speedily returned, followed by several others. After that they had a
lively time of it for half an hour, when the rats left them as suddenly
as they had appeared.

The storm, and their various adventures, had tired the boys out, and
soon, in spite of the surroundings, one after another fell into a light
doze. The sleep did all of them good, especially Dick, who declared on
awakening that he felt almost as well as ever.

"Only I'm as hungry as a bear," he added.

"Ditto myself," came from Tom. "I move we try to break out of this
dingy hole."

"All right; but where shall we break to?" put in Sam. "I can't see much
more than I could last night."

The matter was talked over, and presently they scattered, to feel along
the ribbed walls of the hold.

For a long time nobody felt anything of importance, but at last Sam let
out a soft cry:

"I've found something of a door!"

"Good for you," answered Tom. "Can you open it?"

"No, there seems to be a bar or something on the other side."

The others rejoined the youngest Rover, and made out the door quite
plainly, for there was a broad crack at the top and at the side
opposite the hinges. There was a bar, true enough.

"If we had something that we could slip into that crack, we might move
the bar," observed Dick.

"I slipped on a sheet of tin a while ago," said Tom. "Perhaps I can
find that."

His hunt was successful, and soon they had the tin in the crack under
the bar. The latter gave way with ease, and then they pulled the door
open. Beyond was the passageway leading to the cabin.

"Now what's the next movement?" whispered Sam.

"Let us try to arm ourselves first of all," answered Dick. "Then, if we
are cornered again, we may be able to make some kind of favorable
terms."

He tiptoed his way into the cabin and found it deserted. On the table
rested the remains of a breakfast served to several people, and he
picked up half a loaf of bread and put it in the pocket of his jacket.
Several boiled eggs followed.

On one of the walls of the cabin hung two old-fashioned swords and a
brace of pistols. Without hesitation he took all of the weapons and
returned with them to his brothers.

"Here are pistols and swords, and something to eat," he said. "There
seems to be nobody around, so you can come into the cabin, if you
wish."

All entered the compartment. Both water and a little coffee were handy,
and they made a hasty repast. While eating, Tom hunted around the room
and also looked into an adjoining stateroom. In the latter place he
found a bunch of keys on a nail.

"If only one of 'em fits these handcuffs," he murmured, and they tried
the keys without delay. One did fit, and in a few seconds they were
free of their fetters.

"Now 'lay on, MacDuff!'" quoted Tom, as he swung aloft one of the
swords. "We'll give them a warm reception, eh?"

"We'll do nothing of the kind," replied Dick hastily. "In this case
silence is the better part of valor. We'll lay low until the time comes
to make a move."

"What, do you mean to go back to the hold?" asked Sam.

"We may as well, for the present. It is broad daylight now. Perhaps we
can escape at night."

"Do you suppose they took our rowboat along?" came from Tom.

"I shouldn't wonder. We can---- Hist! somebody is coming!"

Dick was right; Captain Langless was descending the companion way. On
tiptoes the three boys hurried to the door leading to the hold. As they
flung it back they found themselves confronted by Arnold Baxter and
Dan.




CHAPTER XI.

GAINING A POINT.


The sudden turn of affairs chagrined the Rover boys greatly, and for
the moment none of them knew what to say.

Arnold Baxter and Dan grinned at the trio sarcastically, and the bully
was the first to break the silence.

"Didn't get away that time, did you?" he sneered.

"Ha! so they are here!" came from Captain Langless, who had just
stepped into the cabin. "And without the handcuffs, too."

"Let us alone," cried Tom hotly. "If you touch me again, I'll shoot
somebody." And so speaking, he raised one of the pistols taken from the
cabin wall.

His aim was at Dan, and the bully fell back with a cry of terror, for,
as old readers know, Dan was a coward at heart.

"Don't--don't shoot!" he faltered. "Don't!"

"My pistols!" burst out the captain of the _Peacock_, in a rage.
"Hand those weapons over to me, do you hear?"

He took several steps forward, when Dick brought him to a halt by
raising one of the swords.

It was a dramatic scene, of intense interest to all concerned. Arnold
Baxter gazed at the armed youths in alarm, and Captain Langless grated
his teeth.

"This is foolishness," said the owner of the schooner, after a painful
pause. "If you try to fight you'll only get into worse trouble. We are,
all told, ten to three, and the best thing you can do is to throw down
those arms and submit."

"We won't submit," came from Sam, with a boldness which was astonishing
in one of his years. His stirring adventures in Africa and in the West
accounted for much of this valor.

"We are not going to remain on this vessel," said Dick. "And if you try
to detain us further somebody will get hurt."

"You scamp!" fumed Arnold Baxter, and looked at the elder Rover as if
to annihilate him with a glance. But Dick remained undaunted, and
gradually Arnold Baxter fell back a few steps.

It must be confessed that the Rover boys felt far from comfortable.
Here were two of the enemy on one side and one on the other, cutting
off their escape in both directions. More than this, Captain Langless
now raised his voice, and presently several rough-looking sailors came
rushing into the cabin.

"Leave the hold," cried the owner of the schooner to the Baxters. "I
reckon I know how to manage 'em."

Arnold Baxter understood, and at once took his son by the arm. The pair
had come down into the hold by means of a ladder lowered through the
forward hatchway. Now they ran for the ladder, mounted, and drew it up
after them. Then the hatch was closed down as before.

In the meantime Captain Langless whispered to one of his sailors, and
the tar ran to one of the staterooms and returned with an old-fashioned
seven-shooter, fully a foot and a half long.

"Now get back there," ordered the owner of the schooner. "I won't have
any more fooling."

"If you shoot, so will I," said Tom quickly.

"And so will I," added Sam.

"We had better have no bloodshed," continued the captain, trying to
control himself. "Behave yourselves, and you'll be treated all right.
Kick up a muss, and it will go hard with you."

"What do you intend to do with us?" questioned Dick curiously.

"You'll have to ask your friend Arnold Baxter about that."

"He is no friend of ours!" cried Tom. "He is our worst enemy--and you
know it."

"If you behave yourself I'll see to it that no harm befalls you,"
continued Captain Langless. "I'm sorry I mixed up in this affair, but
now I am in it I'm going to see it through."

"You are carrying us off against our will."

The owner of the _Peacock_ shrugged his shoulders.

"You'll have to talk that over with Baxter and his son."

"You've been starving us."

"We were just going to furnish you with breakfast and a small keg of
water."

"We don't want to stay in that foul-smelling hold," put in Sam. "It is
enough to make a fellow sick."

"If you'll promise to behave yourselves, we may let you on deck part of
the time."

"You'd better," grumbled Tom. He hardly knew what to say, and his
brothers were in an equal quandary.

"Come, throw down your arms and we'll give you breakfast here in the
cabin," continued Captain Langless. "You won't find me such a bad chap
to deal with, when once you know me. You look like decent sort of
fellows, and if you do the right thing I'll promise to see to it that
the Baxters do the square thing, too. We'll be better off on a friendly
footing than otherwise."

The owner of the _Peacock_ spoke earnestly, and it must be
admitted that he meant a large part of what he said. The manliness of
the Rover boys pleased him, and he could not help but contrast it with
the cowardice of the bully, Dan. Perhaps, too, behind it all, he was a
bit sick of the job he had undertaken. He knew that he had virtually
helped to kidnap the boys, and, if caught, this would mean a long term
of imprisonment.

Dick looked at his two brothers, wondering what they would have to say.
He realized that, after all, they were in a hopeless minority and were
bound to lose in a hand-to-hand struggle.

"We may as well try them," he whispered. "If we fight, one of us may
get killed."

They talked among themselves for several minutes, and then Dick turned
to the captain.

"We'll submit for the present," he said. "But, mind you, we expect to
be treated like gentlemen."

"And you will be treated as such," answered Captain Langless, glad that
there would be no struggle. "Come into the cabin and stack those
weapons in the corner. They were never meant for anything but wall
decorations," and he laughed somewhat nervously.

The three lads entered the cabin and put down the weapons. They kept
their eyes on the captain and his men, but there was no move to molest
them.

"You can go," said Captain Langless to the sailors. "And, Wilson, send
the cook here for orders."

The sailors departed, and with something of a grim smile on his
furrowed face the owner of the _Peacock_ dropped into a seat near
the companionway door. He had just started to speak again when there
was a noise outside and Arnold Baxter appeared.

"Have you subdued the rascals?" he questioned hastily.

"Reckon I have," was the slow answer, "Leas'wise, they have thrown down
their weapons."

"Then why don't you handcuff them again, the rats!"

"We are no rats, and I'll trouble you to be civil," returned Dick
firmly.

"Ha! I'll show you!" howled Arnold Baxter, and would have rushed at
Dick had not the captain interposed.

"Hold on, sir," were the words of the ship's owner. "We have called a
truce. They have promised to behave themselves if we treat them
squarely, and so there are to be no more back-bitings."

"But--er--" Arnold Baxter was so astonished he could scarcely speak.
"You are not going to put them in the hold?"

"Not for the present."

"They will run away."

"How can they, when we are out of sight of land?"

"They ought to be chained down."

"Supposing you let me be the judge of that, Mr. Baxter. I promised to
do certain things for you. If I do them, you'll have no cause to
complain."

"Have you decided to take these boys' part?" ejaculated Arnold Baxter,
turning pale.

"I have made up my mind that treating them like beasts won't do any
good."

"They don't deserve it."

"Don't deserve what?"

"To be well treated. They are--are--"

"Young gentlemen," finished Tom. "The captain knows gentlemen when he
sees them, even if you don't."

"Don't talk to me, Tom Rover."

"I will talk whenever I please. I am not your slave."

"But you are in my power, don't forget that."

At this moment the cook of the schooner appeared.

"What's wanted?" he asked of the captain.

"Bring some breakfast for these three young gentlemen," said Captain
Langless. "Some fresh coffee and bread and some fried eggs and
potatoes."

At this order Arnold Baxter stood fairly aghast. "You are going to let
them dine here?" he gasped.

"I am."

"But--but you must be crazy. They will--er--think they are running the
ship!"

"No, they won't. Leave them to me, and I'm sure we will get along all
right. Come, let us go on deck."