"Do you want to kill me, Dick Rover?"
"I want you to behave yourself. Come, now, are you going to promise?"
"What if I don't?"
"Then I'll give you the thrashing I promised."
"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 Dick 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 shore, so that it was
not observed by old Jerry and the girls. But when Dick got back to
camp Dora at once noticed that something unusual had happened.
"What is wrong, Dick?" 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, Dick!" 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.
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