"If you do not send the money the girls will suffer," the message
concluded. "Beware of false dealings, or it may cost them their lives!"
"That ought to fetch the money," said Dan Baxter, after the business
was concluded.
"If they can raise that amount," answered Loring. "Of course you know
more about how they are fixed than I do."
"They can raise it--if they get the Rovers to aid them."
The prospects looked bright to the two horse thieves, and as soon as
Loring returned to the houseboat he and Hamp Gouch applied themselves
arduously to the liquor taken from Captain Starr's private locker.
"Those fellows mean to get drunk," whispered Lew FIapp, in alarm.
"I'm afraid so," answered Baxter. "But it can't be helped."
Late in the evening, much to their surprise, an old man in a dilapidated
rowboat came up to the houseboat. It was Jake Shaggam, the hermit,
who had been out fishing.
"How are ye, Shaggam!" shouted Pick Loring, who, on account of the
liquor taken, felt extra sociable.
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