"We ought to have somebody on guard," he said, so loudly that Dick heard him. "I don't trust that Baxter very much."
"All right," answered Gasper Pold. "You go to the cabin, and"
He broke off short as a cry came from Sack Todd. The ex-counterfeiter had caught sight of Dick as the latter was raising the hatch to drop it in place.
"Hi!" yelled Sack Todd, and then let out a scream as the hatch hit him on the head.
"Down you go!" answered Dick and leaped on top of the hatch to force it into place. One of Sack Todd's fingers was caught and pinched and he let out another yell. But he kept his footing on the iron ladder and thus held the hatch up several inches.
"What's up?" came from Sid Jeffers.
"They are trying to shut the hatch! Help me!"
"What!" roared Gasper Pold, and sprang up beside the ex-counterfeiter.
"Tom! Sam! Hans!" yelled Dick, at the top of his lungs. "Help! Quick!"
He continued to call out and at the same time did all in his power to force the hatch into place. He was sprawled on top, and no sooner did he get one end down than the other bobbed up. Then he heard Gasper Pold cry out:
