"And you were going to take ours, only you didn't find it," said Snap with a grin.
"You hadn't any right to touch our boat."
"See here, Ham, don't talk like a child. After all you did to harm us in the past we've got a right to do almost anything to you, and you know it," said the doctor's son. "Now you clear out and leave us alone."
"You've been following us," put in Ike Akley.
"Not at all."
"Then why did you come away out here to camp?"
"Because we chose to come. Now, clear out—-and stay away!"
A wordy war lasting several minutes followed. It was plainly to be seen that the shifting of the boat had filled Ham Spink with rage, and he was unusually anxious to "square up" with the four boy hunters. But he could do nothing, and at last he and his crony withdrew.
"I am glad you arrived," said Giant. "If you hadn't I am afraid those fellows would have gotten the best of us."
"I would have shied rocks at them," said Tommy, who had come down from the tree. "They may be bigger than I am, but I guess I could outrun 'em," and at this remark the others had to smile.