"Oh, I don't think that," answered his brother. "I don't think Dan
Baxter is quite so wicked."
Presently there came a noise above and the hatch was raised. The next instant Sam came tumbling down the iron ladder, followed by Hans.
"Now you fellows can talk it over as long as you like," said Gasper
Pold. "When you come to terms let us know by blowing the steam whistle."
And then the hatch was put down and fastened as before.
"Sam, are you all right?" asked Dick and Tom, in a breath.
"Oh, yes, after a fashion," answered the youngest Rover. "But they handled me pretty roughly."
"And you, Hans?"
"I dink I vos peen putty vell hammered alretty. Py chimanatics! I vish I could drow dem all oferpoard, ain't it!"
"We are in a box, in more ways than one," said Tom.
"What did they do to you?" questioned Dick, and then Sam and Hans told their stories, adding that they had been taken from the staterooms but a few minutes before, brought on deck, unbound and ungagged, and sent down the iron ladder as already mentioned.