Bill gave me a thump in the ribs and grinned, but didn't say anything. I saw Benny whisper something, his eyes shining with excitement; then Skinny motioned to us what to do.
Each of us lighted a firecracker and held it with the fuse sputtering and sizzling, until they were almost opposite. Then we threw the crackers under their feet. They went off like a volley of musketry. At the same time we gave a great caw and jumped the fence.
"Give it to 'em, fellers," yelled Skinny. "These are the guys that wanted to duck Benny in the mill pond."
Say, it was great. The firecrackers surprised them, for they hadn't seen us, and we were over the fence and upon them before they could run. Things were lively in Park Street for a few minutes. Then, all of a sudden, we heard a man's voice say:
"Scouts, attention!"
And there was Mr. Norton, looking surprised and sorry!
We all stood up with a jerk and saluted, and the Gingham Ground boys started to run. They only went a few steps, however, and then waited to see what was going to happen.
"Scouts," said Mr. Norton, sternly, "what sort of brawl is this, on the Fourth of July?"
He was looking at Skinny, he being Scout leader.
"'Tain't a brawl," said Skinny. "It's the battle of Bunker Hill; that's what it is."