With a sudden darkening of his face Dan Baxter strode forward.
"Dick Rover, I hate you, always have hated you, and always will hate you. Take that for your impudence."
He struck out and slapped the helpless boy heavily upon the cheek. Then, as Dick sank back in the chair, he turned and left the cabin, closing and locking the door after him.
At half-past four in the morning the Peacock got under way, and in less than an hour was far out upon the broad waters of Lake Erie.
CHAPTER VI.
HUNTING FOR DICK.
"Dick must be drowned."
It was Tom who spoke, addressing Sam and Aleck Pop.
For hours they had searched among the floating lumber for some sign of the missing one, and the only thing that had been found was Dick's cap, caught in a crack of one of the timbers.
"It's awful!" murmured Sam. His face was white and he was ready to cry, for Dick was very dear to him.