CHAPTER XXVII 

DAN BAXTER'S REPENTANCE 

The three Rover boys could scarcely believe their senses. Here they were once more in full possession of the _Mermaid_ so far as the deck and cabin were concerned--and those who had sought to make them prisoners were prisoners themselves. 

"This is where the biter got bit," remarked Tom. "Say, I feel so good I could almost dance." 

"Sack Todd got shot," said Dick. "I'd like to know if it is serious." 

"Well, I am not very sorry for him," said Sam. "He's a thoroughly bad egg." 

"We want to make certain of Dan Baxter," went on the eldest Rover. "He may fool Hans." 

They walked toward the cabin and ran down the companionway. At the lower doorway they paused and then Tom grinned. 

On one side of the room was Dan Baxter with his hands in the air. On the other side was Hans, with a pistol in each hand. 

"Ton't dare to mofe," Hans was saying. "Of you do I vos put oxactly fourteen shots into your poty, ain't it!" 

"I am not moving," grumbled Baxter. "Didn't I tell you I am sick of the whole thing, Dutchy? I don't want to fight, or anything." 

"Tan Paxter, you chust remember dot old saying, beoples vot lif in glass houses ton't got no right to tell fish stories," answered Hans, gravely. 

"Hans, that's a good one!" roared Tom, coming forward. "Say, you're a whole regiment in yourself, ain't you?" 

"Yah, I vos so goot like ten or sefenteen soljers, alretty!" answered the German youth, proudly. "Paxter, he ton't got avay from me, not much!" 
Where did they walk?
They walked toward the cabin and ran down the companionway. At the lower doorway they paused and then Tom grinned. 