"Did you
lose any men?"
"One sailor, and one of my passengers got hurt in the leg by the
collision."
By this time Dick joined the party, followed by old Jerry and the
three girls.
"Will the captain carry us away to Australia?" asked Dora, when the
situation was explained.
"I suppose so," said Dick soberly. "If I had some money I might buy
him off, but I haven't a dollar. What little I did have I left on
board of the Tacoma."
The others were equally destitute, and when Captain Blossom heard of
this his face grew dark. He was a close man, and his first mate, Jack
Lesher, was no better.
"If you haven't any money, you'll have to work your passage," he
growled. "I can't afford to carry you to Australia for nothing."
"Then let us off at some port in the Hawaiian Islands," said Tom.
"Can't do it, I told you," retorted Captain Blossom angrily. "And
you'll either work while you are on board or starve."
"My, what a Tarter!" whispered Sam.
"Well, we'll work," said Dick. "But you must not force the young
ladies to do anything."
"I'm a sailor and will do my full share," said old Jerry. But he did
not like the situation any better than did the Rovers.
The matter was talked over, and seeing that they were willing to
work, Captain Blossom became a little milder in his manner. He said
he would give the three girls one of the staterooms, but the boys
and old Jerry would have to join the crew in the forecastle.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62