“They won’t dare to leave us,” said the bully.
“Won’t we?” said Jack. “Wait and see. Come on, fellows, put the baskets in the boat and come on board.”
“They are going to leave us,” groaned Mumps, as the baskets were stowed away and several entered the craft. “We’ll have to stay here all night, and I know it is going to rain! And there may be bears around! Peleg Snuggers told me about a bear he saw once, on the road to Malville.”
“Oh, don’t be a calf, Mumps,” interrupted the bully. “They’ll all laugh at you.”
“I don’t care, I don’t want to stay, so there!” whimpered the sneak. “Tell them you won’t say anything.”
“Well, good-bye!” shouted Jack, turning toward the rowboat.
He walked several steps, but then Baxter hailed him.
“Stop!” cried the bully. “Let us go. For Mumps’ sake I won’t say anything.”
“Very well. Remember, Baxter, that’s a bargain. Are you agreed, Paxton?”
“Yes.”