"Felps, ain't you going to claim the deer?" asked Giles Faswig.
"Certainly I am. But I want these young rascals to understand that they can't come on my land," answered the lumber dealer.
"Mr. Felps, we are not young rascals," said Shep, with flashing eyes. "We shot the deer in good faith and if you take it from us I shall consider it stealing."
"Listen to that!" ejaculated Vance Lemon. "And after we wounded the deer first, too!"
"I won't talk to you," cried Andrew Felps, savagely. "Leave that deer alone, and get off of my land as quick as you can—and stay off!"
His manner was so savage and threatening that the young hunters felt compelled to retreat. Yet they were very angry.
"Mr. Felps, I think you'll be sorry for this some day," said Snap. "When I get back to Fairview I shall tell everybody just how meanly you have acted."
"Hi! don't you threaten me!" roared the irate lumber dealer. "I know my business. You clear out—and be quick about it."
"I suppose you and your friends want our deer because you're not able to shoot one yourselves," called out Whopper, and with this parting shot the young hunters withdrew. All of the men shook their fists at the boys.
"Now, wouldn't that jar you!" exclaimed Shep, as they turned toward
Firefly Lake. "Did you ever hear of such meanness?"