hit him again!" cried Lesher hastily. "He's out already."

Baxter grew pale, thinking he had gone too far. But he soon discovered
that Jerry still breathed, and then he felt relieved.

It was decided by the pair that they should place old Jerry beside
Dick in the brig, and this was quickly done. Then they put into the
prison a bucket of drinking water and a can of ship's biscuits, and
another of baked beans.

"They won't starve on that," said Lesher. "And when they get out
they'll understand that I am as much of a master here as anybody."

"It serves Dick Rover right," said Baxter. "He's the kind that ought
to be kept under foot all the time."

CHAPTER XXII

A HEAVY TROPICAL STORM

"Those girls will ask some awkward questions, I reckon," said Jack
Lesher, as the two prepared to leave the wreck.

"We had better not say too much," answered Baxter.

They were soon over the side and in the rowboat, which contained
the bundle of clothing and a number of other articles. Then an idea
struck the mate.

"Wait; I am going back," he said, and disappeared on the deck one more.

Dan Baxter imagined that Lesher had gone for more liquor. But he was
mistaken. When the mate reappeared, he carried a box containing half
a dozen pistols, two guns, and a quantity of ammunition.

"I am going to hide this in the woods on the other side of this
island," he said. "The firearms may come in handy before long."

"A good idea," replied Baxter, and helped him place the case in a
desirable spot, under some rocks, where the rain could not touch it.

"We are going to have a storm before long," said the mate, as they
started to row back to the camp. "And if it is a heavy one we'll have
to wait till it clears off before we rejoin the rest of our crowd."

The sky was growing dark, and by the time the beach in front of the
house was gained the rain was falling.

"Where are Dick and, old Jerry?" asked Dora in quick alarm. She had
noted long before that only Baxter and the mate were in the rowboat.

"They stayed behind on the wreck," answered Lesher. "Come, help get
the bundles out of the wet," he added to his companion.

"Why did they stay?" asked Nellie.

"Don't ask me," growled Lesher.

He and Baxter took the bundle to the house and dumped it on the floor
of the living room. 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 occasi