There was an awkward pause. Tommy looked appealingly at the doctor's son and his other friends.
"Don't you worry; they shan't touch you," said Shep kindly. "They are big bullies, that's all. We know them thoroughly."
"Are you going to stay here?" asked Ham.
"That is our business," answered Snap. "Where have you located?"
"That is our business."
"So it is; but I want you to understand, once for all, Ham Spink, that this time you must keep your distance. If you try to molest us in any way you'll get the worst of it."
"How long are you going to stay?"
"That is our business, too."
"Come on, Ham," said Carl in a low voice. "What is the use of talking to them at all? Let us get back to our own camp, and let them take care of themselves."
"All right, if you say so," answered Ham Spink, and turning on his heel he walked back the way he had come, with his crony beside him.