been nothing more
than a tool from start to finish there could be little doubt. He
agreed to go with them and do all he could to locate his former
companions, and also do what he could towards having the gasoline
launch raised and put in order.

CHAPTER XIV

ON A GULF STEAMER

"Well, now for a life on the ocean wave!" came from Tom.

"Und a houses on der rollings deeps," put in Hans.

"And may the enemy be captured in short order," came from Harold Bird.

"All well enough to hope that, but I am afraid we have some work
before us, perhaps something we won't like," said Dick, seriously.
"Those men know that the prison is staring them in the face, and they
will do all in their power to escape. If cornered they may put up a
stiff fight."

"Well, we can put up a fight too," answered Sam.

The conversation took place on the forward deck of the _Mascotte_,
a gulf steamer running from Mobile to Tampa and other points on the
Florida coast. Two days had passed since the boys had arrived at Bay
St. Louis and in that time they had accomplished several things of
more or less importance.

It had been an easy matter to obtain all possible information from
Solly Jackson, and for the time being the fellow was in the hands of
the law, awaiting further developments. He had promised, if the others
were captured, that he would give evidence against them, and in return
for this Dick and Harold Bird said they would be easy on the carpenter
when he came up for trial.

The gasoline launch had been raised without much trouble and towed
to a shipyard, where she was to undergo repairs. The craft was not
damaged a great deal, but would need a new gasoline tank and some
new seats. Fortunately the gasoline supply had been low at the time
the fire broke out, otherwise those on board would have been blown
sky-high.

After numerous inquiries Tom and Sam Rover had learned that Pold,
Todd, and Dan Baxter had taken passage for Tampa on a schooner named
the _Dogstar_. The vessel carried a light load of lumber consigned
to a firm that was erecting a new winter hotel on Tampa Bay, and
expected to make a fairly quick passage across the gulf.

The Rovers and their friends had taken the train from Bay St. Louis
to Mobile, after first sending messages to Mrs. Stanhope, Mrs. Laning,
and the girls. At Mobile they had just been in time to catch the
_Mascotte_ and had been equally fortunate in securing several vacant
staterooms.

"We'll head t