"You shut up, you little imp!" burst out Gif. "You'll arouse the whole school, and there is no need of doing that."
By this time Nappy Martell was close to the river bank, and he reached up his hand appealingly to those above him.
"Here, give me your hand, Nappy!" cried Slugger Brown, and reached down to aid his crony. But the bank was a slippery and treacherous one, and he was in danger of going overboard himself.
"Wait a minute, Slugger—let me help you," cried Spouter, and he took hold of the big youth's left hand.
Then the others also came forward to do what they could, and in a few seconds more Nappy Martell was hauled up on the grass. He was pretty well exhausted and panted painfully.
"I'm sorry you went overboard, Martell," said Jack, promptly. "I didn't expect to knock you into the river."
"You did it on purpose! You know you did!" returned the other youth wrathfully. "Yo—you—d—d—don't know how to f—f—fight fair," he added, his teeth suddenly beginning to chatter, for the unexpected bath at this season had proved awfully cold.
"Say! he's shivering like a leaf!" cried Fred.
"You had better get back to the Hall and change your clothing," advised Jack.
"I won't change anything until I've given you a licking," roared Nappy Martell.