“Noddy Nixon!” replied the small chap. “He had a big airgun, and when you got up in the air he hid behind a tree and popped at you. I saw him, and I told him I’d tell you. Did he hit you?”
“No, but he came near it. Where is he?”
“Over there somewhere, I guess,” and Andy pointed to a clump of trees.
“I’ll settle his hash!” exclaimed Jerry, righteously wrathful. “Come on, fellows.”
Professor Snodgrass had seen a new kind of bug as soon as he alighted from the car, and he was oblivious to everything else. Mr. Glassford was talking to the reporter, and in the eagerness to see the motor ship no one paid much attention to the three lads, who, led by Andy, started off to find the bully.
They caught sight of Noddy standing behind a big tree, and before he realized it the motor boys had surrounded him.
“Look here!” cried Jerry, “why did you shoot at us?”
“I didn’t shoot at you.”
“You did so!” cried Andy. “I saw you!”
“Aw, dry up!” exclaimed Noddy. “How could I shoot? I ain’t got no gun.”