The Rover Boys on the Great Lakes; Or, The Secret of the Island Cave

by Edward Stratemeyer

  CHAPTER XXI.

  TOM BRINGS ONE ENEMY TO TERMS.

  "Am I dreaming?" gasped the former school-teacher, when he couldcommand his voice sufficiently to speak.

  "You might better be dreaming, Josiah Crabtree," replied Tom, eying theman sharply. "This is a bad business you are engaged in."

  "Where did you come from?"

  "None of your business."

  "Don't be impertinent, young man."

  "Then don't try to pry into my private affairs."

  "Have you been following this boat?" questioned Crabtree nervously.

  "Never mind what I've been doing. I have found you out, and thatappears to be a good job done."

  "Found me out? What do you mean to insinuate by that?"

  "I mean that you are up to no good; that's what I mean, Mr. JosiahCrabtree, A. M."

  "You are very, very----"

  "Don't try to abuse me, it won't work. I want to know what you proposeto do with Mrs. Stanhope."

  "That is my affair--or, rather, it is the affair of that lady andmyself--and does not concern such a scamp as you."

  "Oh, Josiah! I do not think Tom is a scamp," broke in Mrs. Stanhope, ina pleading voice.

  "He is a scamp, and worse, Pet. Allow me to deal with him alone."

  "So you thought to elope with Mrs. Stanhope," went on Tomsarcastically. "To elope without Dora being the wiser."

  "Ha! what do you know of Dora!" ejaculated the man, starting back inalarm.

  "I know a good deal."

  "Has she--ahem! followed me?"

  "Would that surprise you?"

  "It is--er--very extraordinary." Crabtree cleared his throat. "I--thatis--where is she now?" And he looked around.

  "I told you I wasn't answering questions. But you had better take myadvice and go slow, or you'll soon find yourself in jail again."

  "You must have followed us in a boat. Where is your craft?"

  "Another question which I am not answering. Do you surrender?"

  "Surrender?"

  "That is what I said."

  "I--er--don't understand."

  "The case is very simple. You ran off with Mrs. Stanhope, influencingher against her will to accompany you. Your game is to marry her sothat you can get hold of the money she is holding in trust for Dora----"

  "It is false!"

  "It is the plain truth. Josiah Crabtree, you are a trickster of thefirst water, but if I can prevent your trickery I am going to do it."Tom turned to Mrs. Stanhope, who was now crying violently. "Won't yougo below and let me have it out with this man?"

  "Oh, I trust there will be no violence!" she sobbed.

  "I shall teach this young upstart a lesson," fumed Josiah Crabtree. Hesaw that Tom's coming had greatly lessened his influence over the lady.

  "Please go below, Mrs. Stanhope, and don't worry about me," said Tom.

  "Yes, it will be best," added Crabtree, and then the lady disappeareddown the companion way, walking slowly, for she felt weaker than ever,because of the excitement.

  "Now, sir, we will come to an understanding," said the former teacherof Putnam Hall, as he faced Tom with a show of severe dignity.

  "Very well, we will come to an understanding."

  "You have followed me to here."

  "Granted."

  "You came in another boat with Dora."

  "What if I did? Do you suppose I would come with her alone?" went onTom, struck with a sudden idea.

  "Do you mean to say you have--er--brought along any ofthe--ahem!--authorities?" And Josiah Crabtree glanced around nervously.

  "I am not alone--nor is Dora where you can do her any harm."

  Josiah Crabtree's face became a trifle pale.

  "Boy, what do you wish to do--ruin me?"

  "Mr. Crabtree, you are ruining yourself."

  "You were the means of putting me in jail before--you and yourbrothers."

  "You deserved it, didn't you?"

  "No."

  "I think you did. But that has nothing to do with the presentsituation. I want to know if you are willing to come to terms or not?"

  "What--er--terms do you want me to make?"

  "Are you in control of this boat?'

  "I am."

  "Then, in the first place, you must turn the control of the boat overto me."

  "And after that?"

  "You can remain on board, if you behave yourself, until we reach themainland."

  "And what then?"

  "After that you can make your own terms with Mrs. Stanhope and Dora."

  "But the authorities--"

  "Mr. Crabtree, for the sake of the Stanhopes we wish to avoid allpublicity," replied Tom, playing his game as skillfully as possible. "Idon't think they will want to bring you and themselves into court, ifyou will promise to leave them alone in the future."

  "Who is with you here?" And Crabtree looked ashore anxiously.

  "Sam is close at hand."

  "And the others?"

  "Never mind about the others. I hold a winning hand, but what that isI'll let time show. Now, for the last time, are you willing to let metake charge or not?"

  "It is a very unusual proceeding."

  "Say yes or no."

  "What shall I say? I do not wish any trouble."

  "Then I am going to take charge. Call up the two sailors who have beenrunning this boat for you."

  With a dark look on his face Josiah Crabtree did as requested. At thesame time Tom beckoned to Sam to come on the deck.

  The sailors were much astonished to see the two strangers. Only the fattar could speak English, and he translated what was said into Frenchfor his companion's benefit.

  It was with very bad grace that Josiah Crabtree told the sailor whocommanded the _Wellington_ that Tom would now direct the movementsof the vessel.

  "We have--er--decided to change our plans," said the formerschool-teacher.

  "What you lak to do den, hey?" demanded the fat sailor.

  "What is the nearest American town to here?" asked Tom.

  "Ze nearest place?"

  "Yes."

  "Buryport."

  "And how far is that from here?"

  "Ten or eleven miles."

  "Then we will sail for that place, and at once."

  At this Crabtree looked surprised.

  "You are going to Buryport at once? What about the others you said werewith you?"

  "I will answer no questions." Tom turned around and winked at Sam, whohad heard the previous conversation. "I guess they'll follow rightenough, eh?"

  "Sure," answered Sam. "Dick knows what he's doing, and so does thatdetective."

  "A detective!" groaned Josiah Crabtree. "Has it come to this!" And hewrung his hands nervously.

  "Mr. Crabtree, I must ask you to step forward," went on Tom. "I do notwish you to go below."

  "Why?"

  "I do not wish you to worry Mrs. Stanhope," answered the youth. Butwhat he was afraid of was that Crabtree might take it into his head toarm himself and bring on further trouble.

  "As you please," answered the former teacher, with a shrug of hisshoulders. "You seem to have matters well in hand." And he strodeforward, biting his lip in vexation. He would have tried to escape tothe island, only he was afraid no one would ever come to rescue him.

  While speaking, Tom had taken the pains to display the pistol takenfrom the sailor at the cave. Sam now took up a short iron bar lyingnear, and both boys showed that they meant to remain masters of thesituation. The Canadians noted this, but said nothing, for they feltsomething was wrong and they wished to get into no trouble. A fewminutes later the anchor was brought up, the sails hoisted, and the_Wellington_ stood away from Needle Point Island.