is bucket as if to throw it at Tom's head.

"Don't you dare, Baxter!" cried Tom. "If you do we'll have a red-hot
war."

"I can lick you, Tom Rover!"

"Perhaps you can and perhaps you can't."

Baxter put up his fists, but on the approach of Dick and Sam he
promptly retreated. But before he went he hissed in Tom's ear:

"You wait, and see what I do!"

"He had better keep his distance," said Dick. "If he doesn't, somebody
will get hurt."

"I suppose it galls him to work," said Sam. "He always was rather lazy."

The day proved a nice one, and the Rover boys spent most of the time
with the three girls, who were glad of their company once more.

All speculated on the question of what had become of the Tacoma, and
of what the folks at home would think concerning their prolonged absence.

"I'd give a good deal to send a message home," said Dick.

"We must cable as soon as we reach shore," added Dora.

They saw but little of Dan Baxter during the day and nothing whatever
of him the day following.

"He is trying to avoid us," said Sam. "Well, I am just as well
satisfied."

Through old Jerry they learned that Baxter hated the work given to
him and that he was being favored a little by the first mate.

"Tell ye what, I hate that mate," said Jerry. "He's got a wicked eye,
and he drinks like a fish."

"I know he drinks," answered Tom. "I smelt the liquor in his breath."

They were now getting down into warmer latitudes and the next night
proved unusually hot. It was dark with no stars shining, and the air
was close, as if another storm was at hand.

"I can't sleep," said Tom, after rolling around in his berth for half
an hour. "I'm going on deck." And he dressed himself and went up for
some air. He walked forward and leaned over the rail, watching the
waves as they slipped behind the noble ship.

Tom's coming on deck had been noticed by Dan Baxter, who sat on the
side of the fore-castle, meditating on his troubles. As the bully
saw the youth leaning over the rail, his face took on a look of bitter
hatred.

"I'll teach him to laugh at me!" he muttered.

Gazing around he saw that nobody was within sight and then he arose
to his feet. With a cat-like tread he came up behind Tom, who still
looked at the waves, totally unconscious of danger.

Baxter's heart beat so loudly that he was afraid Tom would hear it.
Again he looked around. Not a soul was near, and the gloom of the
night was growing thicker.

"He'll