is 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.

"Do you want some supper?" asked Dick. "If you do, come on."

"I don't want anything more to-night," growled the bully, and sat
down beside Jack Lesher.

It was rather an uncomfortable evening. The thoughts of each of the
party were busy. At the first opportunity Dick called old Jerry to
one side.

"Jerry, we must watch those two fellows closely," he said.

"Right ye are, Dick."

"I am afraid Lesher will be ugly when he wakes up."

"More'n likely, lad--he always was on board ship. The drink gives
him an awful temper."

"I am, going to put the liquor where he can't get it."

"He'll make ye give it to him."

"Will he? Just you wait and see," replied Dick firmly.

It was decided to let Lesher rest in the hammock all night. Baxter
was given a cot in the living room of the house. Soon all had retired,
and the camp was quiet for the night.

Dan Baxter was the first to stir in the morning. His cuts smarted so
he could not sleep, and he walked out to bathe them and put on some
salve Nellie had generously turned over to him. He found Jack Lesher
stirring.

"Hullo!" grumbled the mate, sitting up and yawning. "Where am I?"

"Don't you know we struck camp?" answered Baxter.

"Oh, yes, I remember now. Got some good liquor, too. Where is that
bottle?"

"You emptied it, Lesher."

"Did I? Too bad! I'll have to find another. Where are the girls?"

"Asleep in the house, and so are Dick Rover and old Jerry Tolman."

"What of Cap'n Blossom and them other Rover boys?"

"They are not expected back for several days."

"Humph! Say, I feel bad, I do. I must have something to brace me up."

"You'd be