The Rover Boys on Land and Sea | Page 8

tracked Dan Baxter
only to lose him, and promised to see if anything more could be done in
the matter.
But nothing could be done, as there was no telling when the Golden
Wave would arrive at Australia, and what port the craft would first
make.
"We have seen the last of Dan Baxter," said Sam.
But the youngest Rover was mistaken. They were to meet the bully
again, and under circumstances as astonishing as they were perilous.
CHAPTER IV
GOOD TIMES AT SANTA BARBARA
"What a land of plenty!"
It was Tom who made the remark.
The Rover boys were on their way to Santa Barbara, after having spent
three weeks at San Francisco and vicinity. They had received word that
Dora Stanhope and her mother and the two Laning girls were at the
fashionable watering place, and they were anxious to meet their old
friends.
On sped the luxurious train, over hills and through the valleys, past
heavy woodlands and by rich fruit farms. It was a scene which
interested them greatly, and they never tired of sitting at the windows,
gazing out.

Presently the car door opened and a tall young fellow, carrying a valise,
stepped inside and walked down the aisle. As he came closer Dick
Rover leaped up.
"Bob Sutter!" he cried, with a smile of pleasure. "Who would ever
dream of meeting you out here?"
"Is it really Dick Rover?" questioned the newcomer, as he shook hands.
"And Tom and Sam, too! I must be dreaming. Is Putnam Hall on its
travels?"
"We are on our travels," replied Tom, also shaking hands, followed by
Sam. "But what are you doing here?"
Bob Sutter, a former scholar at Putnam Hall, smiled broadly.
"I live in California now. My father is interested in real estate in Los
Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. Our home is in Santa Barbara."
"That is where we are going," came from Sam.
"What are you doing just traveling around?"
"Yes; we thought we'd put in time until the Hall opens again."
"I heard it had been closed. Too bad! If you are going to Santa Barbara,
you must call and see me by all means," went on Bob Sutter.
"To be sure we will," said Tom, and his brothers nodded.
"We were going down there now to call on the Stanhopes," said Dick.
"They have come here for the benefit of Mrs. Stanhope's health, and
Nellie and Grace Laning are with them. I guess you know them all."
"I know the Laning girls, and I think I did meet Miss Stanhope once--at
a football game. I'll be glad to meet them again. But tell me about
yourselves."
Bob Sutter sat down, and soon all were talking at a lively rate. The

newcomer was astonished to hear of the doings of Dan Baxter.
"The Baxters always were a hard crowd," he said. "I hope you'll get
back your stuff some time."
It was late at night when Santa Barbara was reached, yet many of the
hotels were a blaze of light from top to bottom. At the depot the Rover
boys parted with Bob Sutter, but promised to call upon him in a day or
two.
"I've got a fine yacht," said Bob Sutter. "Some time I want to take you
for a trip."
"Just what we were wishing for!" cried Tom. "Just name your time,
that's all."
"How will next Monday suit?"
"Will your yacht hold us?" asked Sam.
"The Old Glory will hold ten passengers on a pinch," answered Bob
Sutter.
"Then you don't sail the craft alone."
"I can sail her in fair weather. But father makes me take an old sailor
named Jerry Tolman along with me. Jerry is a character--a regular old
salt, and I love to have his company. And that makes me think! Why
can't we make up a party and go out? You can bring the three girls you
are going to visit, and I can bring my cousin, Mary Parloe."
"Now you are talking!" shouted Sam. "What a jolly trip it will be!"
The proposal met with immediate approval, and it was decided that the
boys should meet not later than Saturday afternoon to complete
arrangements.
The Rover boys had received word that Mrs. Stanhope had rented a
furnished cottage not far from one of the leading hotels. The lady was

very nervous, and did not like too much noise and confusion about her.
Meals were brought in from the hotel, which made it very pleasant.
When the three boys drove up in a carriage from the depot, three girls
came rushing out to greet them. The three were Dora Stanhope and her
two cousins, Nellie and Grace Laning.
"So here you are at last!" cried Dora Stanhope, as she gave Dick's hand
a tight squeeze.