"
"Then find out, and be quick about it, or I'll give you the rope's-end!"
roared the unreasonable mate.
The loud talking aroused Dick, and he soon came out.
"What's the matter here?" he asked. "Oh, so you have woke up," he
went on to Jack Lesher.
"Yes, I'm awake, Rover. And I want to know where the liquor has been
placed."
"It's been placed where you won't get hold of it, Mr. Lesher."
"What! This to me!" yelled the mate, in fury. "To me, the first mate!"
"A first mate doesn't count for anything here. This is a private
camp, and if you don't behave yourself we'll pitch you out of it."
"You--you--" Jack Lesher could not go on, and shook his fist in Dick's
face.
"I told you what they intended to do," whispered Dan Baxter in
Lesher's ear. "They have the upper hand and mean to keep it. But
don't forget that we have nine sailors in our camp to back us up,"
he went on suggestively.
"Don't grow abusive, Mr. Lesher," said Dick as calmly as he could.
"Just think the matter over. It may save a good deal of trouble."
"I don't have to think it over!" bellowed the mate. "During Cap'n
Blossom's absence I am in command, just as much as if we were on the
deck of the wreck over there. You were only passengers, but Jerry
Tolman was a sailor, and he's under my command. I told him to bring
me some liquor, and he has got to do it. If he won't obey, it's
mutiny, just you remember that!" And he shook his finger warningly
in old Jerry's face.
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