a low tone to his two men and they passed
into the galley, where Hans and Sam showed them the food that was on
board. In the meantime Sid Jeffers went on a hunt for liquor, and
finding a bottle took a long drink, and then passed it over to Sack
Todd and the others.

"Dick, I don't like this at all," whispered Tom, as soon as he could
get the chance.

"Neither do I, Tom. I never expected to meet this crowd out here."

"There are six of them, while we number only four," went on the
fun-loving Rover.

"Come with me," answered Dick, softly. "Sam, you take charge for a
while," he added to his youngest brother.

Dick led the way to the main cabin of the _Mermaid_ and to a case
which was screwed fast to the wall. Inside were several pistols, and
below were several boxes of ammunition.

"I reckon I understand you," said Tom. "We had better arm ourselves
at once. There is no telling what those fellows will take it into
their heads to do."

"Let us four arm ourselves, and then hide all the other pistols,"
said Dick. "Then, if they are not armed, we'll have them at something
of a disadvantage."

They took four pistols,--one for Sam and another for Hans,--with the
necessary cartridges, and then all of the remaining weapons were
hidden at the bottom of one of the berths. This accomplished they
went on deck again, and called Sam and Hans.

"They are having a big time, eating and drinking," said Sam, as he
took the weapon handed to him. "I feel sure we will have trouble
sooner or later. Pold, Todd, and Baxter won't want to run the risk
of being arrested as soon as we land, and that mate and his men may
side with them."

"That isn't the only thing," said Dick. "They know this steam yacht
is valuable. The party to bring the vessel in to port will get big
money. Didn't the mate speak of it? That shows how his mind was running."

Our friends talked the matter over for some time, but the conversation
did not relieve their worry. They felt that there was serious trouble
ahead of them and that it might break out at any moment.

"You know the old school whistle," said Dick. "If anybody gets into
trouble whistle, and then the others can come to his aid." And so it
was agreed.

Not knowing what else to do, Dick went to the pilot house followed
by Hans, while Tom returned to the engine room and Sam to his job as
fireman. Soon the engine was started up once more, and the steam
yacht headed again for the western coast of Florida.