"This is a serious situation and we don't propose to take any more chances. We are on top and we mean to stay on top," added the eldest Rover.
While Hans held a lantern, the three Rovers and Dan Baxter carried the two sailors through the cabin and out on the deck. Tom was working with the former bully of Putnam Hall and declared afterward that he never felt so queer in his life. But Baxter worked with a will and did his full share of lifting.
The hatch to the hold was not far off and the men were put down without great trouble. Then the hatch was closed and fastened.
"Now, Dan, you are the only enemy we have who is at liberty," said Dick, turning to the big youth. "I want to know exactly what you propose to do."
"What I do will depend a good deal on what you do," was the somewhat low answer. "I know I am in your power. But I'd like you to remember one thing—about how I warned you not to drink the drugged water and how I brought you some good water."
"I am not going to forget that."
"That's a point to your credit, Dan," said Sam.
"If it hadn't been for that I—er—I don't know where you'd be now.
As I said before, I've been pretty bad—but not quite as bad as that."
"Do you think we ought to let you go for what you did for us?" asked
Tom, who never wanted to beat about the bush.
"I don't know as you ought to do that—but I'd like you to do it. I'd like to have the chance to go away—far away—and strike out fresh. My father wants me to do it—he's written me three letters about it. He wants me to go to the Hawaiian Islands, or the Philippines, or to Australia. He says—but I don't suppose you are interested in what he writes."