"
"I wish he and Mr. Lesher had kept their distance."
"Do you think they will really come here--I mean all of the sailors?"
"More than likely."
The girls continued their work, and for the time being Dan Baxter
kept his distance. Jack Lesher continued to snore away in the hammock,
nor did he rouse up when Dick and old Jerry returned.
"Dan Baxter!" cried Dick, as he leaped from the rowboat. "Where did
you come from?" And then the story of the newcomers had to be told
over again.
Dick eyed Jack Lesher with open disgust. "A man who will act like
that has no welcome in our camp," he said to Baxter.
"You don't mean you are going to turn him out," said the bully, in alarm.
"If he stays here he must behave himself."
"You forget that he was the first mate of the schooner, Dick Rover."
"We are not on the schooner now."
"No, but you are getting your living--or the largest part of it--from
the schooner."
"What do you mean, Baxter?"
"I mean that it's the same as if you were on the schooner. And that
being so, Mr. Lesher is the second in command here."
At this statement the girls looked alarmed, and even old Jerry's face
showed his uneasiness. But Dick's face was full of contempt.
"Do you mean to say that thing "--pointing to the drunken mate--"
that thing can command any of us? If you do, let me say right now
that you are mistaken."
"We'll see about that later."
"This is our camp, and it is not for you, the mate, or anybody else
to come here and dictate to us.
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