Part 28 (1/2)
”All right, I'm cornered, and can't help myself.”
”Will you let the girls alone in the future?”
”Yes. If they don't want to be friends, I'm sure I can get along without them,” answered Baxter sulkily.
”Very well; now see that you keep your promise. If you don't, I'll run you out of camp and never let you come near us again.”
With these words d.i.c.k turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Baxter to wash his cuts and bruises in the ocean and otherwise care for them as best he could.
CHAPTER XX
THE MATE TRIES TO TAKE COMMAND
The fight had taken place around a bend of the sh.o.r.e, so that it was not observed by old Jerry and the girls. But when d.i.c.k got back to camp Dora at once noticed that something unusual had happened.
”What is wrong, d.i.c.k?” she asked.
”Oh, nothing much, Dora. I merely made Dan Baxter promise to keep his distance in the future.”
”Did you have a fight?”
”It didn't amount to much. He had to give in pretty quickly.”
”Oh, d.i.c.k!” She caught his arm.
”I won't have him annoying you, or the others, Dora.”
”You are so good!” she whispered.
Supper was ready, and they sat down, leaving Jack Lesher still in the hammock. They had nearly finished when Dan Baxter came shuffling along.
”Do you want some supper?” asked d.i.c.k. ”If you do, come on.”
”I don't want anything more to-night,” growled the bully, and sat down beside Jack Lesher.
It was rather an uncomfortable evening. The thoughts of each of the party were busy. At the first opportunity d.i.c.k called old Jerry to one side.
”Jerry, we must watch those two fellows closely,” he said.
”Right ye are, d.i.c.k.”
”I am afraid Lesher will be ugly when he wakes up.”
”More'n likely, lad--he always was on board s.h.i.+p. The drink gives him an awful temper.”
”I am, going to put the liquor where he can't get it.”
”He'll make ye give it to him.”