"I've got to fix the harness—there's a strap loose," went on Lemond, and leaped to the ground. He was at work when a man appeared, climbing up the river bank through the bushes. It was Job Haskers, one of the assistant teachers at the Hall, the only instructor the students did not like.
"Ha! so some of you played a trick on me, eh?" fumed Job Haskers, as he emerged upon the road and strode toward the carryall. "Nice doings, I must say!"
"Did the apple hit you, Mr. Haskers?" asked Dave, mildly.
"Did it hit me? I should say it did, right on top of the head."
"I am sorry, sir."
"So you threw it, Porter. I am amazed that you would dare do such a thing."
"I didn't know you were down there—in fact, I didn't know anybody was there."
"A likely story," sneered the teacher, who was very often hot-headed and unreasonable.
"I am telling the truth, sir," and Dave's face flushed.
"I cannot go out for a quiet stroll by the river side but somebody must hit me in the head with a hard apple," growled the instructor. "Have you just arrived?"