“You insulting young rascal!” he exclaimed. “How dare you use such language to me?”
“Bah!” said the boy, shrugging his shoulders. “Who’s afraid of you? I played on the Maplewood baseball team, and I know Benton Hammerswell. I told you the truth about him.”
“Yes, yes,” said Mr. Cobb, “you did play on that ball team—that’s right! You’re not on it now, are ye?”
“No.”
“Yes, yes; mad with Hammerswell, I take it? Sore because he threw you off the team? Want to make trouble for him, I see. That’s your game, boy! That’s your reason for coming to me and telling me such preposterous yarns! Look here, you young reprobate, you had better take yourself out of Fairhaven as quick as you can! We don’t want such chaps on the island!”
“Oh, I’ll get off your old island!” snarled Chester. “Certainly there are more chumps to the square yard on this island than I ever beheld before, and you’re the king of them all. Good morning!”
Although the village mayor felt like rushing after the insulting chap and giving him a good caning, he contented himself in glaring at Chet’s back until he disappeared.
CHAPTER XX
ON BOARD THE “SACHEM.”
The sun had swung into the western sky. Under full steam the big white yacht Sachem was headed toward the northeast. The yacht was owned by Henry Crossgrove, the steel magnate, and on board was gathered a large party of his friends, several of whom were enjoying the sunshine and the sea breeze on the main deck.