have a talk with him and come to an understanding," said the eldest Rover, and strode out of the house and to where Baxter was walking up the beach, picking up fancy-colored sea-shells.
"Look here, Baxter, I want to have an understanding with you," he said, catching the bully by the arm.
"What do you want now?"
"I want you to promise to leave Dora Stanhope alone in the future."
"How I treat her is none of your business," blustered the bully.
"But it is my business, Baxter."
"See here, Dick Rover, I won't be bossed by you!" howled the tall youth. "You mind your own business."
"If you touch her again, there will be trouble."
"What will you do?"
"I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had in your life."
"Two can play at that game."
"There will be only one in this game."
"Do you want to fight me?"
"I am perfectly willing," responded Dick recklessly. His anger was deep at that moment.
"All right then, come on!" howled Baxter savagely, and, squaring off, he aimed a blow at Dick's face.
The attack was so sudden that Dick could scarcely prepare for it, and though he dodged, Baxter's fist landed glancingly on his cheek.
"There you are, and here's another!" cried the bully, and his other fist shot out, catching Dick on the shoulder.
But now the oldest Rover was on his guard, and in a twinkle he let drive, taking Dan Baxter in the eye. It was a staggering blow, and made the bully gasp with pain. Then Dick fol lowed it up by a crashing blow on the chin, which sent the bully reeling into the low water on the beach.
"Don't — don't run me into the ocean!" he spluttered, and, watching his chance, ran out of the water and up the beach.
But Dick was now thoroughly aroused, and he made after Baxter. When he got close enough, he put out his foot and sent the bully sprawling. Baxter came down on some rough sea-shells, cutting his face and hands in several places.
"Oh! oh!" he howled. "Stop it!"
"I will not stop it, Dan Baxter, until you promise to let Dora Stanhope and the other girls alone in the future. They want nothing to do with you, and you must keep your distance."
"I — I didn't hurt anybody."
"Do you promise to let them alone?"
Without replying, the bully staggered to his feet. The blood was running from his nose and from a cut on his chin, and both of his hands were also bleeding.
"Do you want to kill me, Dick Rover?"
"I want you to behave yourself. Come, now, are you going to promise?"
"What if I don't?"
"Then I'll give you the thrashing I promised."
"All right, I'm cornered, and can't help myself."
"Will you let the girls alone in the future?"
"Yes. If they don't want to be friends, I'm sure I can get along without them," answered Baxter sulkily.
"Very well; now see that you keep your promise. If you don't, I'll run you out of camp and never let you come near us again."
With these words Dick turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Baxter to wash his 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 ovef 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 an other. 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
