"Hush!" whispered Frank. "Come away, it's none of our affair."
But, before they could move, the girl burst into such a fit of crying that the sympathies of both lads were aroused. The man and the girl were the only occupants of the cabin, and there was no one else near on the outside deck save Andy and Frank. The girl continued to sob pitifully, her face covered with her hands.
The man took her roughly by the arm. The girl raised her tear-stained face and indignantly pulled herself away. The man took a step toward her and the girl's face grew white with fear. She seemed about to scream.
"I can't stand this!" murmured Frank to Andy. "I'm going to help her in her trouble, whether it's our business or not."
"And I'm with you!" exclaimed Andy.
Frank stepped into the little cabin. The two occupants of it were too excited to notice him for a moment. Then the Racer lad said:
"Excuse me, Miss, but I see you are in trouble. Can I help you in any way? My brother and I would be very glad to. Is there anything we can do?"
The girl looked at the two lads gratefully, though in some surprise. There was a look of anger on the face of the crabbed man.
"I—I thank you very much," said the girl in a low voice. "I think that Mr. Callum forgot himself for a moment. He will not be guilty of such conduct again." She looked at him fearlessly. "It is very kind of you," she went on, addressing the lads, "but there is nothing you can do, thank you so much, though." She smiled through her tears; smiled at Frank, so Andy said afterward. "Mr. Callum will not annoy me again."
This seemed to be too much for the crabbed old man.