Part 45 (1/2)

”I am not impudent, and you needn't get impudent either!” cried Fred, his anger rising. ”You are in command here, but this boat is under charter and just now I represent the man who owns that charter. If you have got to cruise around to test the engine and shaft well and good, but if you are merely cruising around for the fun of it I say go back to where we came from--none of us want to do any cruising to-day.”

At this plain speech the mate grew purple in the face. He raised his hand as if to strike the youth, but just then Aleck came on deck, carrying a pitcher of ice water in his hand.

”Stop dat! Don't yo' go fo' to hit dat boy!” cried the colored man. ”If yo' do I'll fling dis watah pitcher at yo' head!”

”You shut up, you rascally n.i.g.g.e.r!” shouted the mate. ”You have nothing to say here!”

”I'se got somet'ing to say if yo' hit Ma.s.sa Fred,” answered Aleck, and held the water pitcher as if ready to launch it at the mate's head.

There was a moment of excitement and several crowded around, but then the mate waved the crowd away.

”I shall report this to Captain Barforth as soon as he comes back,” he said, and turning on his heel, he walked off. Fred went down into the cabin, and Aleck followed him. A few minutes later Norton joined the youth and the others, who had gathered to talk the matter over.

”We must be on the watch,” said the chief engineer. ”I am certain now that Carey is up to some game.”

A long discussion followed, but nothing came of it. The steam yacht kept on its way and rounded the eastern point of Treasure Isle. Then it stood to the north-westward.

”I hope he knows his course,” said Norton, to the boys. ”If he doesn't he stands a good chance of running us on some key or reef.”

If the boys were excited, the girls and ladies were more so. n.o.body knew exactly what to do, and each minute added to the general anxiety.

At last the vessel rounded another point of the isle and came in sight of the sea beyond. There in the distance was a steamer at rest on the waves, and Fred and Hans felt certain she must be the _Josephine_.

The two vessels were soon close together. As the _Rainbow_ came up to the other craft, Walt Wingate went to the rail and shouted something through a megaphone which the mate loaned him. Immediately came back an answering cry, but the boys did not catch what was said.

”This is going pretty far,” said Fred, to Frank Norton. ”Don't you think I ought to step in and stop it?”

The chief engineer shrugged his shoulders.

”Carey is really in command and it might be called mutiny to do anything to stop him.”

”But supposing he allows Wingate to go to that other s.h.i.+p?”

”Well, if Wingate goes we'll be well rid of him.”

”Of course that is true, but still----”

Fred did not finish for just then Asa Carey came up.

”I am going to visit that other steamer,” he said, to the chief engineer. ”I shall take that man Wingate along, and Bossermann is going, too. You can remain right here until I get back.”

Norton nodded, but said nothing. The mate looked at Fred as if to say more, but then apparently changed his mind and hurried away. Soon a small boat was over the side and this was manned by the mate, Bossermann, Wingate and a sailor named Ulligan, a fellow noted for his laziness and untrustworthiness. Without delay the small boat set out for the _Josephine_.

”I don't like this at all,” said Fred. ”Those fellows mean mischief as sure as you are born!”

”I d.i.n.k da vos hatch owid somedings mid dot Merrick,” said Hans.

”Perhaps they are plotting to gain possession of this yacht,” was Dora's comment. ”They may bring over a crowd to take possession and make us prisoners!”