"Perhaps he caught hold somewhere," said Sam, who was unwilling to believe that his brother had really perished. They had just gained the stern and were looking over when a call came from out of the darkness. "He--help! Help!" "It's Tom!" screamed Dick in delight. "Tom, is that you?" "Yes! Help!" "Where are you?" "Holding on to a rope. Help me quick. I--I can't hold on mu--much longer!" "We'll help you," answered Dick. Captain Blossom was called and more lanterns were lit, and then a Bengal light, and Tom was seen to be holding fast to a rope which had in some manner fallen overboard and become entangled in the rudder chain. By the aid of the boat-hook the rope was hauled up and to the side of the _Golden Wave_. At the same time the sails were lowered, and then a rope ladder was thrown down. Dick descended to the edge of the waves, and, watching his chance, caught Tom by the collar of his coat. Then the brothers came slowly to the deck. A cheer went up when it was found that Tom was safe once more, and Nellie Laning could not resist rushing forward and catching the wet youth in her arms. Tom was so exhausted he dropped on the nearest seat, and it was several minutes before he had recovered strength enough to speak. "I would have been drowned had it not been for that rope," he said when questioned. "As I slid along the side of the ship the rope hit me in the face. I clutched it and clung fast for dear life. Then when I came up and swept astern I called as loudly as I could, but it seemed an age before anybody heard me." "It was a narrow escape," said Dick. "You can thank a kind Providence that your life was spared." "You must have leaned on the rail awfully hard," put in Nellie. "Leaned on the rail?" repeated Tom. "It wasn't my fault that I went overboard. It was Dan Baxter's." "Dan Baxter!" came from several. "Exactly. He tackled me in the dark, and we had it hot and heavy for a minute. Then he crowded me on the rail, and it gave way. He jumped back and let me go overboard." "The rascal! I'll settle with him!" cried Dick. "I'll teach him to keep his distance after this!" He knew Baxter was still forward, and ran in that direction. The bully saw him coming and tried to hide in the forecastle, but Dick was too quick for him and hauled him back on the deck. "Take that for shoving my brother overboard, you scoundrel!" he exclaimed, and hit Baxter a staggering blow straight between the eyes. "Stop!" roared the bully, and struck out in return. But Dick dodged the blow, and then hit Baxter in the chin and on the nose. The elder Rover boy was excited, and hit with all of his force, and the bully measured his length on the deck. "Good fer you!" cried old Jerry, who stood looking on. "That's the way to serve him, the sarpint!" Slowly Baxter arose to his knees, and then his feet, where he stood glaring at Dick. "Don't you hit me again!" he muttered.