Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht; Or, A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht; Or, A Young Millionaire and the Kidnappers
John Stuart Mill · en
"Stow your talk," commanded Ike, roughly. "If we're making a mistake
we're getting paid for it, and you needn't be so high and mighty with
us. 'Senors' be hanged! Talk English!"
The lad did not answer, but followed his captors, who had him by an arm
on either side. Sam flung the driver of the coach some money, and the
vehicle rumbled off in the darkness.
"Now, if Guy and Simon are waiting, we'll be all right," murmured Sam.
As they approached the stringpiece he gave a cautious whistle, which was
answered from a small boat lying out a little distance from the wharf.
The craft was rowed in, and a few seconds later the two men with their
prisoner were aboard, while Guy Fletcher and Simon Scardale handled the
oars, and sent the boat out toward the yacht _Princess_.
"Did you get him?" asked Simon, when they were well out from the shore.
"Sure," answered Sam, "though he says he isn't Dick Hamilton."
"You know _me_, don't you, Dick?" asked Simon, with a sneering laugh.
The captive returned no answer.
As the rowboat approached the yacht, a figure could be seen leaning over
the rail--the figure of an old man.
"Did you get him?" he called in a cautious whisper, as the craft came
alongside the accommodation ladder.
"Sure thing," answered Ike.
The five were on deck shortly, and Mr. Larabee, approaching the youth
who had been kidnapped, said:
"I'm sorry, Nephew Richard, that I had to act this way, but it's for
your own good, as you will come to acknowledge in time. It is done to
prevent you from making a beggar of yourself. Now, if you will come
below, I'll explain my plans to you. My, but I'm glad this chase is
over! I had a hard time to get you--me and er--me and these friends of
mine. But now I have you, and we'll go back home. Yachting is terribly
expensive--terribly!"
With a sigh, the old man led the way to the cabin. The others, including
the captive, followed. The latter maintained a grim silence.
In the well-lighted apartment Uncle Ezra turned to behold his nephew.
He looked once, and started. Twice, and he threw up his hands in
amazement. Then he cried:
"Land o' Goshen! You've got the wrong boy! What does this mean? This
isn't my nephew, Richard Hamilton! You've made a terrible mistake! Oh,
dear! Oh, dear! Now, I'll be sued for damages!"
"A mistake?" echoed Ike Murdock.
"A mistake?" faltered Sam Newton.
"Mistake?" chorused Guy and Simon.
They all took a good look at the youth whom they had kidnapped. There
was no doubt of it. Though he bore a strong resemblance to Dick
Hamilton, the lad was unmistakably a Cuban or a Spaniard. He drew
himself up proudly and fairly glared at them.
"What did I tell you, senors?" he asked, softly.
"Fooled!" gasped Ike, and, as he spoke, the yacht began to gather
headway, for the engineer had orders to get in motion as soon as the
party came from offshore.
"We are moving! You are taking me away!" He sprang toward the
companionway.