u are an impostor!" returned Captain Blossom bluntly. "The fact
that you used an assumed name proves it. If I wanted to do so, I
could clap you in the ship's brig until we reach port and chain you
into the bargain. I want no thieves on board my ship."

"Here is more of our clothing," came from Tom.

"Pick out all the things that are yours," said the captain. "And take
the other things that are yours, too."

This was done, nobody paying any attention to Baxter's protests. When
the Rovers had what there was of their things the captain turned to
the bully.

"I've made up my mind about you," he said, speaking with great
deliberation. "I am master here, and a judge and jury into the bargain.
You can take your choice: Either sign articles as a foremast hand
for the balance of the trip, or be locked up as a prisoner, on prison
rations."

"Do you mean th--that?" gasped Baxter, turning pale.

"I do."

"But the passage money Goes to the credit of these young fellows."

"It's an outrage!"

"No, it's simply justice, to my way of thinking. I'll give you until
to-morrow to make up your mind what you will do."

This ended the talk with Dan Baxter. The captain said he wanted to
see the Rover boys in the cabin, and they followed him to that place.

"Captain, I feel I must thank you for your fair way of managing this
affair," said Dick, feeling that a few good words at this point would
not go amiss. "I hope you treat Baxter as he deserves."

"I will try to do right," was Captain Blossom's answer. "But what I
want to know now is, What do you intend to do with that money? It
seems to me I should be paid something for keeping you on board."

"I have a proposition to make, captain. We will give you two hundred
dollars if you will allow us to consider ourselves passengers. And
by 'us' I mean the young ladies as well as ourselves."

"It's not very much."

"If we pay you that amount it will leave us but thirty dollars, hardly
enough with which to cable home for more. Of course, when we get our
money in Australia we will pay you whatever balance is due you,--and
something besides for saving us."

This pleased Captain Blossom and he said he would accept the offer.
The matter was discussed for half an hour, and it was decided that
the boys should have two staterooms, the one occupied by Baxter and
another next to that given over to the girls.

When Dora, Nellie, and Grace heard of the new arrangement that had
been made they w