Part 40 (1/2)
”If you don't let us up we'll blow up the s.h.i.+p!” yelled Gasper Pold.
He was in a terrible fury.
”If you blow up the s.h.i.+p, you'll go up with her,” answered Sam.
”Gracious, vill da do dot?” asked Hans, in alarm.
”No, they'll not be so foolish,” answered Tom. ”They value their worthless hides too much.”
”You've nearly killed Sack Todd and we'll have you arrested for it,”
went on Gasper Pold.
”You'll be nearly killed if you don't look out,” answered d.i.c.k. ”We are in possession and we mean to keep in possession.”
”You can't run the boat without the engine.”
”Yes, we can, for the sails are ready for use. We won't have to run, though. By morning we expect to sight some other vessel and then we'll get help.”
”What have you done with those two sailors?” asked Sid Jeffers.
”Put them where they can't do any harm.”
”Where is Baxter?” asked Pold.
”That is for you to find out.”
”I am here,” said the former bully of Putnam Hall.
”Helping that crowd?”
”Yes. I don't want anything more to do with you, or with Sack Todd either.”
”The young skunk!” muttered the mate of the _Dogstar_. ”I told you I didn't like his looks.”
”Say, d.i.c.k Rover, let us talk this matter over,” said Gasper Pold, calming down a little. ”If you'll be reasonable I am sure we can come to terms that will be satisfactory all around.”
”I don't think so.”
”This craft is worth a lot of money, so the mate of the _Dogstar_ says, and there is no reason why all of us shouldn't make a neat pile out of her.”
”Do you want us to go in partners.h.i.+p with you?” asked Tom, in disgust.
”That's it, and if you will, we'll say nothing about your hurting Sack Todd.”
”Is he bad?” asked Sam.
”He is bad enough. We want to get out so that he can have proper attention and medicine.”
”Better give him some of that doctored water,” suggested Tom, grimly.