d
told his story, "I should laugh at it; but, coming from the source it
does, I know it is no laughing matter. Newcombe has given us abundant
proof that he is a reckless, bull-headed rascal, and, if he once gets an
idea, he sticks to it, and one might as well talk to the wind as to
attempt to reason with him. I can not imagine what new scheme he has got
into his head, but I am satisfied that the yacht is in danger. What a
pity it is that that boy does not spend the time he wastes in studying
up plans for mischief, upon his books! he would soon be the best scholar
of his age in the village."

Captain Steele, as may be imagined, was not at all pleased with the
information he had received. He was afraid of Tom, and he did not
hesitate to tell his lieutenant so. He could not, of course, determine
where the threatened danger was coming from, but he was as firmly
convinced as was the executive that trouble was brewing in some quarter.
He could only order his subordinate to keep a bright lookout at all
times, especially at night.

"I'll do that," soliloquized Harry, as he returned to his vessel, "and
if Tom Newcombe comes around the upper end of this harbor with any more
Crusoe bands, he'll not escape as easily as he did before. I don't want
to see him hurt, because his father gave us that vessel, but I'll teach
him that I am tired of living in constant fear of having the yacht
destroyed and my commission revoked."

This incident happened about two weeks before the commencement of our
story, and, during that time, an event occurred that caused considerable
excitement in the village, and relieved the lieutenant of a great load
of anxiety. It was the sudden and mysterious disappearance of the
members of the Crusoe band. Tom Newcombe went up to bed, one night, as
usual, and, the next morning, he was gone; and so was his shot-gun, and
fishing-tackle, and a good portion of his clothing. Xury, Jack Spaniard,
Friday, and Will Atkins were also missing; and, what was more, nothing
had ever been seen or heard of them since their departure. They had
disappeared as completely as though they had never existed at all. The
event had been a nine-days' wonder, but now nearly every one, except the
students, had ceased to talk about it. Their curiosity had been aroused,
and they left no stone unturned in their efforts to find the means of
satisfying it. They made inquiries of every body, guessed, wondered, and
speculated, but all to no purpos