Once again the two boys rode up and down the' Ohio for a distance of nearly a mile. At none of' the docks or farms could they catch the least sign of the houseboat. "She may be miles from here by this time," said Dick, with almost a groan. "There is no help for it, Tom, we've got to go back and break the news as best we can." "Very well," answered Tom, soberly. Every bit of fun was knocked out of him, and his face was as long as if he was going to a funeral. Dick felt equally bad. Never until that moment had he realized how dear Dora Stanhope was to him. He would have given all he possessed to be able to go to her assistance. The mist kept growing thicker, and by the time the stock farm was reached it was raining in torrents. But the boys did not mind this discomfort as they rode along, leading the two riderless saddle horses. They had other things more weighty to think about. CHAPTER XXII DAN BAXTER'S LITTLE GAME In order to ascertain just what did become of the houseboat, it will be necessary to go back to the time when the _Dora_ was tied up near the village of Skemport. Not far away from Skemport was a resort called the Stock Breeders' Rest--a cross-roads hotel where a great deal of both drinking and gambling was carried on. During the past year Dan Baxter had become passionately fond of card playing for money and he induced Lew Flapp to accompany him to the Stock Breeders' Rest. "We can have a fine time there," said Baxter. "And as the Rovers' houseboat will not be far off, we can keep our eyes on that crowd and watch our chance to deal them another blow." Lew Flapp was now reckless and ready for almost anything, and he consented. They hired a room at the cross-roads hotel, and that night both went to the smoking room to look at what was going on. A professional gambler from Kentucky soon discovered them, and he induced Dan Baxter to lay with him,--after learning that Lew Flapp had no money to place on a game. Baxter and the gambler played that night and also the next morning, and as a result Baxter lost about every dollar he had with him. "You cheated me," he cried passionately, when his last dollar was gone. "You cheated me, and I'll have the police arrest you!" This accusation brought on a bitter quarrel, and fearful that they might be killed by the gambler and his many friends who frequented the resort, Dan Baxter and Lew Flapp fled for their lives. They were followed by two thugs, and to escape molestation took refuge in a stable on the outskirts of Skemport and only a short distance from where the _Dora_ lay. "How much money did you lose, Baxter?" asked Flapp, after they had made certain that they were safe for the time being. "Two hundred and sixty-five dollars--every dollar I had with me," was the gloomy response. "Is it possible!" gasped Lew Flapp. He wondered what they were going to do without money. "What have you got left of the money I loaned you?" went on Baxter. "Just two dollars and twenty cents."