“You old fool you, what did you want to come around for?” snarled Noddy at his notorious chum.

“I thought they were going to drown you, and I decided to take a hand and give them a walloping,” said Berry sullenly. “I owe them something on my own account.”

He advanced threateningly toward the motor boys.


[CHAPTER VII]
TO THE RESCUE

Bill Berry was a big burly fellow, pretty much of a brute in his ways, and, though the boys knew he was a coward at heart, they realized that he might prove an ugly customer in a fight. He could not be depended on to battle fairly, but would take any advantage that came his way. Nor would he hesitate to use a stick or stone, where others would rely on the weapons which nature had given them; their fists.

“We’d better get ready for trouble,” said Jerry in a low voice.

“Shall we tackle him?” asked Ned. “He and Noddy will be no more than a match for the three of us.”

“Don’t fight if we can avoid it,” counseled Jerry.