"I'll risk that."
"If you'll let me go I'll promise to turn over a new leaf, and, more than that, I'll help your father to make a pile of money out of that mine in Colorado."
"Your promises are not worth the breath they are uttered in, Arnold
Baxter. You belong in prison, and that is where you are going."
At this Baxter began to rave and utter words unfit to print. But Tom soon stopped this.
"Keep a civil tongue in your head, or we'll gag you," he said, and then
Baxter relapsed into sullen silence.
The breeze was favorable, and it was not long before the sloop rounded a point of the island and came in sight of the Wellington.
"Let us surprise old Crabtree," suggested Sam. "We can keep out of his sight until the last moment."
Tom was willing, yet Dora demurred, wishing to get to her mother as soon as possible. Yet, as they drew closer, the girl stepped behind the cabin for a minute.
"A ship!" cried Peglace, who was on watch on deck. "A ship at last, and coming to shore!"
He uttered the words in French, and they speedily brought to the deck his companion and his companion's fat wife.