Part 34 (2/2)
”And you, Hans?”
”I d.i.n.k I vos peen putty vell hammered alretty. Py chimanatics! I vish I could drow dem all oferpoard, ain't it!”
”We are in a box, in more ways than one,” said Tom.
”What did they do to you?” questioned d.i.c.k, and then Sam and Hans told their stories, adding that they had been taken from the staterooms but a few minutes before, brought on deck, unbound and ungagged, and sent down the iron ladder as already mentioned.
”I was afraid first they were going to throw us overboard,” said Sam.
”I think Sack Todd is equal to it, and that Gasper Pold is about as bad.”
The four youths talked the situation over for a good hour, but could reach no satisfactory conclusion. They did not wish to submit to the others and yet they realized that they were ”in a box” as Tom said.
”I know one thing--I want a drink of water,” said Sam. ”I am as dry as a salt fish.”
”Yah, I vont me a trink, too,” added Hans.
”Well, you'll have to go without,” answered Tom. ”I am dry myself.
I was going to get some fresh water just before the trouble began, but I didn't have the chance.”
”I know what they'll do--they'll starve us out,” exclaimed Sam. ”I see their game plainly.”
”I am going to whistle for water,” said Tom, with something of his usual grin. ”Nothing like being stylish.”
He pulled the cord and the whistle gave a loud toot. He repeated this several times, when they heard footsteps and the hatch was raised about a foot.
”Ready to submit?” asked Sack Todd, peering down on them.
”We want some drinking water,” answered Tom.
”Oh, pshaw!” said the man, in disgust.
”Will you give us a bucket of fresh water or not?' asked d.i.c.k.
”Maybe--I'll see,” said Todd, and dropped the hatch into place once more.
”I don't believe he'll give us a thing,” was Sam's comment. ”He knows if he doesn't we'll have to give up sooner or later.”
”Of ve only had apout two dozen policemans here!” sighed the German youth.
In the meanwhile Sack Todd told the others about the water.
”Are you going to give it to them?” questioned Dan Baxter.
”Don't think I will,” was the answer.
”You can't let them die of thirst,” went on the former bully of Putnam Hall, with some little show of feeling.
”I've got an idea,” came from Gasper Pold. ”Is there a medicine cabinet on board? Generally such a vessel carries one.”
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