"Shut up!" growled Link Merwell. "We are not accountable to them for what we do. Don't make a fool of yourself."
"It was certainly an outrageous proceeding," said Ben. "If their folks wanted to make you suffer for it, they could do so."
"Oh, don't gas, Basswood. If you don't want to aid us, say so. We are not going to beg you to do so." And Link Merwell's face showed his hatred.
"We are going to leave you here, as you deserve," said Dave.
"No, no! Please don't do that!" pleaded Nat Poole. "I don't want to stay in this lonely part of the river all night!"
"Shut up—we can swim ashore!" whispered his crony.
"The water is too cold yet—I felt of it. It's like ice," answered Nat. He was plainly frightened.
"Listen," said Phil, in a low tone to his chums. "Nat says he wanted to take the girls across the river. Perhaps he isn't to blame as much as we think."
"He stood in with Merwell," answered Phil.