“He’d have gotten away with them if he hadn’t stumbled,” continued our hero. “I heard the noise, and I was just in time to grab him.”
“He ought to be reported for that,” said Ben.
“Humph! that’s just like you fellows—report a fellow just for having a bit of fun.”
“I don’t think I’ll take the trouble to report you, Nat,” answered Dave coolly. “It isn’t worth it. But after this, I want you to keep your distance. If you don’t, you’ll get something that you won’t like.” And having thus delivered himself, Dave gave Nat Poole a vigorous shake and then gave him such a shove that he stumbled backward several steps and then went flat on his back in some low brushwood.
Such vigorous treatment aroused all of Nat Poole’s ire, and scrambling to his feet he rushed toward Dave.
“You’re not going to treat me that way!” he bawled. “I won’t stand it!” And then he shoved his fist under our hero’s nose.
This was too much for Dave to stand, and disrobed as he was, he leaped at the money lender’s son, knocking the fist to one side and then delivering a stinging blow which took Nat squarely in the chin, causing him to stagger back several paces.
“Now you go on about your business, Nat Poole!” he said sternly. “And you remember what I told you!”
“You just wait, Dave Porter! I’ll fix you yet!”
“Nat, shut up and do what Dave told you,” put in Roger. “You are the meanest pill that ever came out of a box. Go on!” and he waved his hand threateningly.