At last, one of the boys in the water advanced timidly to the shore, hoping perhaps that Buck would give him back his clothes without making good his threat about the shoes. But the moment the boy stepped on the shore, Buck took up one of his shoes and hurled it into the water.
The little fellow looked after it for a moment, and then his overstrained nerves gave way and he burst into tears.
This was too much for the Radio Boys, and they burst through the bushes and came on a run toward Buck and his gang. The latter looked up in alarm at the unexpected interruption and got up quickly on their feet.
“You cowardly, hulking bully!” cried Bob. “What do you mean by treating these little fellows that way? You ought to be thrashed within an inch of your life.”
“You mind your business,” growled Buck sullenly. “Who gave you a license to butt in, anyway?”
“I’ll show you in a minute where I got my license,” replied Bob. “Don’t let him get away, fellows. Here, boys,” he called to the boys in the water, “come here and get your clothes. There’s only one more shoe going into the water, and it won’t be yours.”
The little fellows came out eagerly and then Bob turned to Buck.
“Take off your coat,” he commanded curtly, at the same time peeling off his own and throwing it to the ground.
Buck looked around for help, but Joe had ranged himself alongside of Lutz and Herb was looking after Mooney, and those worthies were not a bit inclined to mix in.
“My, but you’re slow, Buck,” remarked Bob. “You weren’t half as slow when you were picking on those youngsters. Come, get busy.”