all run it together," came from Grace.
"Isn't Captain Blossom, in command?"
"After a fashion, yes. We haven't tried to decide that point yet.
Have you a leader in your camp?"
"Not much of a one. Lesher is leader when he is sober. Of course
we'll all come over here, now we've found you and the wreck," went
on Dan Baxter.
"But why should you come here?" asked Dora, not at all pleased by
the prospect. "We can let you have your share of what's on board of
the schooner."
"Don't want me here, eh?"
"I don't care for all of those rough sailors."
"Well, they are Captain Blossom's men, you mustn't forget that."
"I suppose that is true," and Dora sighed. With the coming of the
sailors she was certain the camp would not be as pleasant as formerly.
"I don't think you ought to be down on me, Dora," continued Dan
Baxter, after a pause. "I always liked you, and you know it."
"Thank you for nothing," she replied coldly.
"I'm just as good a fellow as Dick Rover," went on the bully, and
laid his hand on the girl's shoulder.
"Don't touch me, Dan Baxter!" she cried.
"I won't hurt you. Come, let us be friends. Surely you don't want
any enemies here, where there are only a handful of us, all told."
"I want you to leave me alone."
She tried to move away from him, but he caught her by the arm and
tried to hold her hands. Grace and Nellie were out of sight, the one
having gone into the house for some dishes, and the other to the
spring for some water.
"Say that you'll be friends, and I'll let you go," he said, drawing
her closer.
"I won't be friends with you, Dan Baxter, so there!" she cried. "Now
let me go!" And she tried to push him away.
"You--you little cat!" he cried, and then, as she let out a loud cry,
he let go of her. "What a little fool you are!" And he walked away
to the trees, and threw himself down to rest.
Red in the face and ready to cry, Dora ran into the house. Grace
looked at her in wonder.
"What is the trouble, Dora?"
"Nothing."
"Did Dan Baxter try to--to--"
"He wants to be--be friends!" sobbed Dora. "He held my hand so I
couldn't get away. Oh, how I despise him!"
"Just wait till Dick comes back; he'll make Baxter mind his own
business."
"Oh, don't tell him, Grace."
"But I shall, Dora. Baxter has got to keep his distance. I hate him
myself, and so does Nellie."
"I wish he and Mr. Lesher had kept their distance."
"Do you think they will really come here--I mean
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