Part 35 (1/2)
Ferris turned upon them like a savage animal.
”Get out of here, every one of you,” he howled, ”unless you want to be hammered to death.”
”Don't you move,” said Hal. ”You evidently have more right here than he has.”
”Indeed!” said Ferris, turning to Hal. ”I wish you would keep your nose out of my affairs.”
”Don't let him sa.s.s you, mister,” put in one of the urchins. ”He didn't have no cause ter hit Katie.”
Ferris pounced upon the boy at once, and cuffed him right and left. In the midst of the castication, however, Hal caught the bully by the arm, and a second later d.i.c.k Ferris measured his length in the gutter.
A shout went up from the boys and girls.
”Dat's der way ter do it!”
”Ain't der gent got muckle, dough?”
Then somebody threw a snow-ball, and in a trice the entire crowd were snow-balling Ferris as furiously as they could.
Hal looked on, and he was compelled to laugh. Then a sudden idea struck him. Like a flash he darted out of sight behind the pile of empty boxes and barrels.
Muttering something under his breath, d.i.c.k Ferris struggled to his feet.
As soon as he did this the street children took to their legs, dragging their sleds after them. Ferris made after one or two of them, but was unable to effect a capture.
”Run off wid yerself!”
”We ain't got no use fer bullies!”
Spat!
A snow-ball took Ferris right in the ear, and caused him to utter a sharp cry of pain.
Then another took him in the face, and in trying to dodge he slipped and went into a snow-drift.
He was quickly on his feet, and this time ran after the crowd so fast that he caught one of the boys.
”Lemme go!” howled the youngster.
”Not much, you rat! Take that!”
Ferris struck the boy in the mouth, and the little fellow let out a yell.
Hal was just about to dart to his a.s.sistance when a policeman came along and touched Ferris on the shoulder.
”What's the trouble here?” he demanded.
Ferris turned savagely, but his manner changed when he beheld the officer of the law.
”This chap is a rascal,” he explained.