Part 18 (1/2)
”I don't think so,” answered Dave, decidedly
”What's that?” cried Merwell, sharply He was a fellow used to having his oay
”I want that boat I ith Messmer and Henshaw, and we left the craft on the shore of an island It's my opinion you two chaps ran off with her”
”See here, do you take ressive fashi+on he swaggered up to Dave
”Not that, Merwell, but I think you took the ice-boat I aet our crowd aboard”
”And what do you expect me to do?” asked Nat Poole
”You can skate back to the Hall”
”I lost one of my skates”
”Then let Merwell tow you on one foot”
”Oh, you needn't boss us around, Porter,” growled Link Merwell ”I'oing to the Hall on the ice-boat, and that is all there is about it”
He drew hiht--he was four inches taller than Dave--and glared down defiantly This gave Nat Poole a little courage, and he ranged beside Merwell, and both doubled up their fists
They fancied they could make Dave back down, but they were ht up on a far about it,” he said, as calht to this ice-boat, and you know it If you don't give it up perhaps I'll report you”
”Oh, you're a squealer, are you?” sneered Link Merwell ”It's about what I would expect froht up in a poorhouse”
At this uncalled-for and cutting reht the tall youth by the arrip that seeoing to bring that up?” he asked, in a low voice ”I should have thought your friend Poole would have cautioned you that it wasn't healthy to do so”
”Let go of my arm, Porter,” and Merwell tried to pull hi like two stars and seeh
”I ao just yet, Merwell I want you to answer o I'll knock you down!” cried Link Merwell, in a rage
”If you do, you'll get well punished for it I allow nobody to talk to ht?”
”No; but I can defend uess Nat Poole knows that”
”Don't soil your hands on hih they were two to one, he knew Dave's power and was afraid of hio!” and then he hauled off and tried to hit Dave in the face
The boy frouard, and ducked with a quickness that surprised his antagonist Then he gave Merwell's ar on the ice
The new pupil was amazed, and it took him several seconds to recover himself He had not dreamed that Dave was so powerful, yet he threw prudence to the winds and rushed in, trying again to reach Dave's face with his fist But Dave skipped to one side, put out his foot, and again Merent down, on his hands and knees