Then they brought in the other things from the
boat. By this time it was raining in torrents, and from a distance
came the rumble of thunder and occasionally the faint flash of lightning.
Not wishing to remain out in the storm, the three girls came into
the house.--"Dora was very much disturbed, and Nellie and Grace were
also anxious.
"It is queer that Dick and old Jerry remained behind," whispered Dora
to her cousins. "They were so anxious to protect us before."
"I cannot understand it, Dora," returned Nellie.
"There has been foul play somewhere," came from Grace.
"Oh, do you think--" Dora could not finish.
"See here!" burst in the voice of Jack Lesher. "We want some dinner.
Don't be all day getting it for us."
The liquor he had imbibed was beginning to tell upon him.. He looked
ugly, and the girls trembled before him.
"Dinner will be ready in a quarter of an hour," said Grace, who had
been doing the cooking.
"All right." Lesher turned to the bully: "Baxter, join me in a glass
of rum for luck."
"Thanks, I will," answered Dan Baxter, who did not particularly want
the liquor, but did not dream of offending the mate.
Lesher produced a bottle he had brought away from the wreck, prepared
two glasses of rum, and drank with great relish. Then he threw himself
into a chair at the rude dining-table.
"I am the master here, and I want everybody to know it!" he exclaimed,
banging his fist savagely.
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