The Rover Boys on Land and Sea Part 27

"I wish he and Mr. Lesher had kept their distance."

"Do you think they will really come here--I mean all of the sailors?"

"More than likely."

The girls continued their work, and for the time being Dan Baxter kept his distance. Jack Lesher continued to snore away in the hammock, nor did he rouse up when d.i.c.k and old Jerry returned.

"Dan Baxter!" cried d.i.c.k, as he leaped from the rowboat. "Where did you come from?" And then the story of the newcomers had to be told over again.

d.i.c.k eyed Jack Lesher with open disgust. "A man who will act like that has no welcome in our camp," he said to Baxter.

"You don't mean you are going to turn him out," said the bully, in alarm.

"If he stays here he must behave himself."

"You forget that he was the first mate of the schooner, d.i.c.k Rover."

"We are not on the schooner now."

"No, but you are getting your living--or the largest part of it--from the schooner."

"What do you mean, Baxter?"

"I mean that it's the same as if you were on the schooner. And that being so, Mr. Lesher is the second in command here."

At this statement the girls looked alarmed, and even old Jerry's face showed his uneasiness. But d.i.c.k's face was full of contempt.

"Do you mean to say that thing "--pointing to the drunken mate--"

that thing can command any of us? If you do, let me say right now that you are mistaken."

"We'll see about that later."

"This is our camp, and it is not for you, the mate, or anybody else to come here and dictate to us. If you try that, we'll send you off in double-quick order."

There was a pause, and d.i.c.k and old Jerry began to unload the things they had brought from the wreck. They had found a large cake of ice.

But the coming of Baxter and Jack Lesher had taken away the pleasure of making lemonade and orange ice, and the lump was placed in some water to cool it for drinking purposes.

As soon as Grace could get the chance she told d.i.c.k of the way Dan Baxter had treated Dora. At once d.i.c.k's face took on a stern look that boded the bully no good.

"I'll have a talk with him and come to an understanding," said the eldest Rover, and strode out of the house and to where Baxter was walking up the beach, picking up fancy-colored sea-sh.e.l.ls.

"Look here, Baxter, I want to have an understanding with you," he said, catching the bully by the arm.

"What do you want now?"

"I want you to promise to leave Dora Stanhope alone in the future."

"How I treat her is none of your business," bl.u.s.tered the bully.

"But it is my business, Baxter."

"See here, d.i.c.k Rover, I won't be bossed by you!" howled the tall youth. "You mind your own business."

"If you touch her again, there will be trouble."

"What will you do?"

"I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had in your life."

"Two can play at that game."

"There will be only one in this game."

"Do you want to fight me?"

"I am perfectly willing," responded d.i.c.k recklessly. His anger was deep at that moment.

"All right then, come on!" howled Baxter savagely, and, squaring off, he aimed a blow at d.i.c.k's face.

The attack was so sudden that d.i.c.k could scarcely prepare for it, and though he dodged, Baxter's fist landed glancingly on his cheek.

"There you are, and here's another!" cried the bully, and his other fist shot out, catching d.i.c.k on the shoulder.

But now the oldest Rover was on his guard, and in a twinkle he let drive, taking Dan Baxter in the eye. It was a staggering blow, and made the bully gasp with pain. Then d.i.c.k followed it up by a crashing blow on the chin, which sent the bully reeling into the low water on the beach.

"Don't--don't run me into the ocean!" he spluttered, and, watching his chance, ran out of the water and up the beach.

But d.i.c.k was now thoroughly aroused, and he made after Baxter. When he got close enough, he put out his foot and sent the bully sprawling.

Baxter came down on some rough sea-sh.e.l.ls, cutting his face and hands in several places.

"Oh! oh!" he howled. "Stop it!"

"I will not stop it, Dan Baxter, until you promise to let Dora Stanhope and the other girls alone in the future. They want nothing to do with you, and you must keep your distance."

"I--I didn't hurt anybody."

"Do you promise to let them alone?"

Without replying, the bully staggered to his feet. The blood was running from his nose and from a cut on his chin, and both of his hands were also bleeding.

"Do you want to kill me, d.i.c.k Rover?"

"I want you to behave yourself. Come, now, are you going to promise?"

"What if I don't?"

"Then I'll give you the thrashing I promised."