r, and then a boat-hook was thrown on the
_Dora_ and a man leaped aboard and tied fast.

"Who is in command here?" he demanded, confronting Baxter and Flapp.

"I am," answered Baxter.

"Is she your houseboat?"

"Yes."

"Where are you bound?"

"Down to the Mississippi. But what is that to you?"

"How many of you on board of this craft?" went on the man, ignoring
altogether the last question.

"That is my business."

"Well, and I'm going to make it mine," cried the man, and pulled out a
revolver. "Answer up, kid; it will be best for you."

He was a burly Kentuckian, all of six feet tall and with a bushy black
beard and a breath which smelt strongly of whiskey.

"Don't--don't shoot us!" cried Lew Flapp, in terror. "Don't shoot!"

"I won't--if you'll treat me proper-like," answered the Kentuckian. "How
many on board?"

"Four--two young ladies and ourselves," answered Dan Baxter. He was
doing some rapid thinking. "Say, perhaps we can strike up a. bargain
with you," he went on.

"A bargain? What kind of a bargain?" And the Kentuckian eyed him
narrowly.

"We are looking for somebody to tow this houseboat down the river."

At this the Kentuckian gave a loud and brutal laugh.

"Thanks, but I ain't in that ere business."

"All right, then; get aboard of your own boat and we will go on,"
continued Baxter.

"What's doing up there, Pick?" called another man, from the launch.
"Remember, we haven't got all night to waste here."

"That other boat is coming!" cried a third man. "Boys, we are trapped
as sure as guns!"

"Not much we ain't," said the Kentuckian who had boarded the houseboat.
"Sculley!"

"What next, Pick?"

"You've got a new job. This chap here wants somebody to tow him down
the river."

"Well?"

"You start to do the towing, and be quick about it. Hamp, get on board
at once! Remember, Sculley, you ain't seen or heard of us, understand?"

"All right, Pick."

The gasolene launch came close once more, and the fellow called Hamp
leaped on board. He carried a rifle and was evidently a desperate
character.

"See here, I don't understand your game?" began Baxter.

"Didn't you say you wanted somebody to tow you down the river?" asked
the fellow addressed as Pick.

"I did, but--"

"Well, Cap'n Sculley of the _Firefly_ has taken the job. He'll take you
wherever you please, and at your own price. You can't ask for more than
that, can you?"

"No, but--"

"I haven't got time to talk, kid--