the rail.

But Mumps caught hold of her and dragged her back. Then Bill
Goss approached, followed by his wife.

"You must go below, miss," said the sailor.

"Come, Nancy, give us a lift."

Poor Dora found herself at once surrounded and shoved back. She
tried to call out again, but Mumps checked her with that
ever-ready hand of his.

"Be careful!" shouted Baxter, for the benefit of the man on the
flatboat. "Treat her with care, poor girl."

"All right," grinned Mumps. "Come, down you go," he went on, to
Dora, and literally forced her down the companionway.

Once in the cabin she was left in Mrs. Goss' care. The door was
locked, and Goss and Mumps went on deck to learn what Baxter was
doing.

"What does this mean?" asked the man in the flatboat. He was a
farmer, who had just been taking a load of hay across the stream.

"Oh, it's all right," answered Baxter carelessly. "That's my
sister."

"Your sister?"