Part 36 (1/2)

”If any of those men ask for me, tell them I got loose, jumped overboard, and swam ash.o.r.e,” said Ethan.

”Law sake!” exclaimed the cook.

”Don't tell them I am here, at any rate.”

”I won't. Ma.s.sy sake! What are we comin' to?”

”Don't be alarmed; we will take care of these villains before we have done with them,” added Ethan.

”Hus.h.!.+ There's some one coming,” said one of the girls; and the heavy tread of a man was heard on the deck above them.

Ethan and Lawry had only time to crawl into one of the berths, where Mrs. Light covered them with bedclothes, before Flint came down into the cabin.

”See here; we haven't been to supper, and we want some,” said the ruffian, as he descended the steps.

”What are you goin' to do with us?” demanded Mrs. Light.

”Don't be scart; we won't hurt you,” replied Flint.

”But where you goin'?”

”Up to Whitehall. When we get there, you can go where you please.

Now, get us some supper; the best there is on board--beefsteak and coffee.”

”Well, I suppose I can get you some supper; but I don't like such carryin's on,” replied Mrs. Light.

Flint left the cabin, after he had given his order. On his way forward he looked into the saloon, and discovered that their prisoner was missing. Search was immediately inst.i.tuted; but Mrs. Light, as instructed by Ethan, declared that he had got loose and swam ash.o.r.e; she had seen him through the stern-lights. The rascals finally accepted this explanation, after searching on deck for him.

Mrs. Light went to the kitchen to get supper for the rogues, while the girls set the table. The cook presently returned to the cabin, and told Ethan where each of the robbers was stationed; but being unarmed, there seemed to be no way of making an attack upon them where the ruffians could not rally to the support of each other.

”We must settle this business down here, Lawry,” said Ethan, when they had come out of their hiding-places.

”They will have to come to supper one at a time,” added the little captain.

”Exactly so; and this will be the safest place to do the job. We want a rope,” added the engineer, with a businesslike air.

”I'll fetch you a rope,” said Mrs. Light.

”Do; bring me the small heave-line, on the guard by the saloon doors.”

The cook went on deck, and after a visit to the kitchen, returned to the cabin with the line indicated under her ap.r.o.n. In about half an hour supper was ready for the villains, and one of the girls informed Baker, who was still on duty in the engine-room, that it was waiting for them. The engineer called Flint, and told him, as the boat was out in the middle of the lake, the engine would need nothing done to it, and directed him to stand at the door, so that the fireman below should not attempt to defeat their plans. He then went to the cabin for his supper.

Ethan and Lawry had concealed themselves behind the curtains of a tier of berths, directly in the rear of the chair where Baker was to sit at the table. In his hand Ethan held the heave-line, at one end of which Lawry had made a hangman's noose. Mrs. Light and the girls had been instructed to rattle the chairs, make as much noise as they could, and otherwise engage the attention of the robber, as soon as he sat down to the table.

Baker came down the stairs, and one of the girls began to rattle the chairs, Mrs. Light to move a pile of plates, and the other girl to arrange the dishes on the table. ”Will you have some coffee?”

demanded Mrs. Light, without giving him time to notice anything in the cabin.

”Of course I will,” growled Baker.