Part 36 (1/2)
And hauling off, d.i.c.k hit the mate a fair and square blow in the nose which sent Lesher flat on his back.
CHAPTER XXV.
TRYING TO COME TO TERMS
As the mate went down the girls gave a scream, and even Tom and Sam looked at d.i.c.k in wonder. Never had any of them seen the eldest Rover so aroused.
”My lad, that was a hard blow,” observed Captain Blossom, as Jack Lesher lay where he had fallen.
”Not half as hard as the blow he struck me,” answered d.i.c.k.
”Not hard as hard as thet chap hit me,” put in old Jerry, and turning quickly he flew at Dan Baxter and bore him to the ground.
”Hi! hi! let up!” roared the bully. ”Let up! Take him off!”
”I'll let up, when I'm done,” panted old Jerry, and he gave him a thump in the cheek, another in the eye, and a third on the chin.
”Now, then, Dan Baxter, see how you like that!” And then the old sailor arose once more.
”I'll--I'll--” began Baxter, in a terrible rage. ”I'll--”
”Shut up, Baxter, until we hear what they have to say,” put in Tom.
”If you are not quiet, I'll give you a thumping on general principles.”
”No more fighting,” commanded Captain Blossom. ”d.i.c.k Rover, tell us what happened on the wreck.”
d.i.c.k told his story, and then all listened to what old Jerry had to say. In the meantime Jack Lesher arose unsteadily to his feet.
”Where is that boy?” he roared. ”I'll fix him.” And then he made a movement as if to draw his pistol, but discovered that the weapon had been taken from him.
”Who took my pistol?” he demanded.
”Be quiet, everybody,” said Captain Blossom. ”Lesher, there will be no shootng here, unless I have to make an example of somebody. You had no business to attack d.i.c.k Rover on the wreck, nor attack Jerry Tolman, either. It was a mean thing to do. If we are to remain on these islands together, we ought to keep friendly.”
”I know my business,” growled the mate.
”And I know mine, Lesher. Please remember that I am captain.”
”And I am first mate.”
”Your being first mate doesn't count with us,” came from Tom.
”Not for a minute,” added d.i.c.k. ”If I had my own way, I'd pitch you out of this camp in double-quick order.”
”And Dan Baxter with him,” put in Sam.
”Why cannot both of them go and live with the other sailors who were saved?” asked Dora. ”They could have their share of what is on the wreck.”
”I see you don't care for their company,” said Captain Blossom. ”Well, I can't say that I blame you, miss. After this they shall keep their distance. They can either live on the wreck or build themselves their own house, and so can the other sailors who were saved.”