Part 31 (1/2)

The mate went into the pantry and secured another gla.s.s of liquor.

Then he ordered old Jerry to take the bundle of clothing and put it in the rowboat.

”I've got some money on this schooner,” he said. ”I want to see if that's safe, or if you have stolen it.”

”We haven't touched any money,” answered d.i.c.k, his face flus.h.i.+ng.

”It would be of no use to us on these islands.”

”You come with me while I take a look,” said Lesher.

Behind his back he waved his hand for Baxter to follow. All three went below again, and into a stateroom the mate had occupied.

”The money was in that chest,” said the mate. He threw open the lid.

”It's gone!” he cried.

Interested for the moment, d.i.c.k bent forward to look in the chest.

As he did so, Lesher suddenly hit him a savage blow over the head with the b.u.t.t of a pistol. The blow was a heavy one, and d.i.c.k fell like a log to the floor.

”Oh!” came from Baxter. ”Have you killed him?”

”No; only knocked the senses out of him,” answered Lesher, bending over his victim.

”What did you do it for?”

”To teach him a lesson. He shan't boss me, Baxter. Come, help me put him in the brig, and be quick, before Jerry comes back.”

They lifted up the insensible form and made their way to where the s.h.i.+p's brig was located, a dirty closet once used for oil and lanterns.

d.i.c.k was thrown on the floor, and the mate shut the door on him and locked it.

”Now he can stay there for a day or two,” he snarled. ”Reckon it will teach him a lesson.”

”What will you do with the sailor?”

Before Lesher could answer old Jerry appeared.

”Where is d.i.c.k Rover?” he asked.

”None of your business,” growled Jack Lesher. ”See here, Tolman, are you going to obey me after this?”

”I want to know where d.i.c.k is?” said old Jerry stubbornly.

”I put him in the brig to cool off. He's too hot-headed for his own good.”

”You had no right to lock him up, Mr. Lesher. You must let him out at once.”

”Git out of here, quick!” roared Lesher. ”On deck, or I'll flog you well!”