The words were attracting a little knot of spectators and listeners, and as Ned started to rescue his beloved sled from the ditch Bob nosed into the circle, seeking him. Whereupon a South Beauforter planted his toe in Bob’s astonished ribs.
“Ki yi! yi, yi, yi!” yelped Bob, and the sound was to Ned a bugle call to action.
“Here—you’d better not do that again!” he warned, returning with a spring.
“Do what again?” demanded Big Mike, threateningly.
“Hurt that dog. He’s never done anything to you,” asserted Ned, his blood up in defense of his faithful partner.
“Aw, who’s hurtin’ yer dog?” scoffed Big Mike—at the same instant aiming another blow at Bob, shivering close against his master’s legs.
Ned responded with a violent shove that nearly took the South Beauforter off his feet.
“Hit him, Mike!”
“Smash him one in the jaw!”