Part 47 (1/2)
When the collision came, d.i.c.k, to save himself from injury, gave a leap up into the air, and Sergeant Brown did the same. The shock sent the _Searchlight_ backward, and when the youth came down he found himself sprawling on the _Flyaway's_ deck, close beside Dan Baxter.
”d.i.c.k Rover!” gasped the former bully of Putnam Hall. ”So it is your boat that has run into us?”
”Baxter, where is Dora Stanhope?” panted d.i.c.k, as soon as he could speak. He was afraid that one or both yachts were going down and that Dora might be drowned. Even in this extreme moment of peril his one thought was for his girl friend.
”Find out for yourself,” burst out Baxter, and aimed a blow at d.i.c.k's head with his fist. But the blow never reached its mark, for Mumps hauled the bully backward.
”We've had enough of this--at least, I've had enough,” said Fenwick, astonis.h.i.+ng himself at his own boldness. ”d.i.c.k, Dora is in the cabin--no, she's coming up.”
”Save me!” came in a scream from the girl.
”Oh, d.i.c.k, is it really you!” and she ran right into d.i.c.k's arms.
By this time it was discovered that the two yachts were locked together, the bowsprit of the _Flyaway_ having become entangled in the rigging of the _Searchlight_. Both yachts were badly damaged, but neither sufficiently so as to be in danger of sinking.
”Back with you!” came from Arnold Baxter, and fired his shotgun at the police officer. But the rocking of the boats spoiled his aim. Then Sergeant Brown fired, and the elder Baxter went down, shot through the left leg.
By this time all of the evildoers realized that the final struggle for freedom was at hand, and began to fight desperately, Buddy Girk engaging d.i.c.k, Bill Goss facing Carter, and Mrs. Goss beating Martin Harris back with a stew pan from the gallery. In the meantime Tom and Sam swam back to the _Searchlight_, and clambered on board as rapidly as possible.
They were in time to see Carter go down, hit over the head by Bill Goss. But that was the last of the fight, so far as the skipper of the _Flyaway_ was concerned, for two blows, delivered by Tom and Sam simultaneously, stretched him senseless on the deck.
”You had better give up!” cried Tom to Dan Baxter, who was doing what he could to get the two yachts apart. ”This is our battle.”
”Not much!” muttered the bully. ”Stand back, or it will be the worse for you!”
He sprang at Tom and shoved a pistol under the boy's very nose.
But before the weapon could be discharged, d.i.c.k, leaving Dora, kicked the pistol from the bully's hand!
”You villain, take that!” cried d.i.c.k, and grappled with Baxter.
Both rolled over on the deck, and, shoved by somebody from behind, Sam rolled on top of the pair. A second later all three rolled down the cabin stairs in a heap.
”Oh, my back!” It was Baxter who uttered the cry, and not without cause, for his backbone had received a hard crack on the bottom step of the stairs.
”You lie still!” commanded d.i.c.k, as he leaped to his feet. ”If you dare to move I'll put you out of the fight altogether.”
”Don't--don't shoot me!” panted Dan Baxter in sudden fear.
”Do you give in?”
”Yes.”
”Then keep still. Sam, guard him, will you? I want to see how matters are on deck.”
”Yes, I'll guard him,” answered the youngest Rover.
The fight on deck had been short and fierce, but our friends had had the best of it from the very start, and when d.i.c.k came up he found but little for him to do. Arnold Baxter lay where he had fallen, moaning piteously, while Buddy Girk and Bill Goss were in irons. Mrs. Goss still stood at bay, flouris.h.i.+ng her stew pan over her head, while Mumps remained at a distance, his arms folded over his breast and an anxious look in his eyes.
”I won't go to prison!” shrieked Mrs. Goss. ”You let me and my husband go.”
”Mrs. Goss, you had best give in--” began Sergeant Brown, when Tom, sneaking up behind her, s.n.a.t.c.hed the stew pan from her grasp. As she turned on the boy, Carter ran in, and in a twinkle she was held and her hands were bound behind her. Then the crowd turned to Mumps.