aptain having gone below
to study his charts and work out the ship's position. Tom had brought
a baseball to the deck and was having a catch with Sam. The boys
enjoyed the fun for quite a while and did not notice the mate near
them.

"Can you throw it up over that rope?" asked Sam, pointing to a stay
over his head.

"Sure thing!" cried Tom.

"Look out you don't throw it overboard."

"I'll take care," answered the fun-loving Rover, and launched the
baseball high into the air. Just then the steam yacht gave a lurch,
the ball hit the mainmast, and down it bounced squarely upon Asa
Carey's head, knocking the mate's cap over his eyes and sending him
staggering backwards.

"Hi, hi! you young rascals!" roared the mate. "What do you mean by
such conduct?"

"Excuse me," replied Tom, humbly. "I didn't mean to hit you. It was an
accident."

"I think you did it on purpose, you young villain!"

"It was an accident, Mr. Carey--and I'll thank you not to call me a
rascal and a villain," went on Tom rather warmly.

"I'll call you what I please!"

"No, you won't."

"Yes, I will. I am in command here, and I won't have you throwing
baseballs at me."

"I just told you it was an accident. If the yacht hadn't rolled just
as I threw the ball it would not have hit you."

"Bah! I know boys, and you especially. You love to play tricks on
everybody. But you can't play tricks on me." And as the mate spoke he
stopped, picked up the rolling ball, and put it in his pocket.

"Are you going to keep that ball?" demanded Sam.

"I am."

"It is our ball."

"See here, Mr. Carey, we didn't mean to hit you, and we were only
amusing ourselves catching," said Tom. "We have hired this yacht and
we have a right to do as we please on board so long as we don't
interfere with the running of the vessel. I want you to give us our
ball back." And Tom stepped up and looked the mate squarely in the
eyes.

"What! you dare to dictate to me!" roared the mate, and raised his
hand as if to strike Tom. He thought the youth would retreat in fear,
but Tom never budged.

"I am not trying to dictate, but I have rights as well as you. I want
that ball."

"You can't have it."

"If you don't give it to me I shall report the matter to Captain
Barforth."

At this threat the mate glared at Tom as if he wanted to eat the boy
up.

"If I give you the ball you'll be throwing it at me again," he
growled.

"I didn't throw it at you. But as for catching on