"What sort of an opening do you want?" demanded Ben. "Look what he did to us last night."
"Old stuff," responded Horace, cool again. "We've made a bargain, haven't we, that wipes that out?"
"Bargain!" sneered Ben.
"He stole our canoes," said Kirby.
"And he did it to make the bargain," laughed Pence. "Smart chap, that Rex King. You got to hand it to him."
"Wait till Joe Bootleg gets a chance at him," said Ben. "He'll hand him something he won't forget. Joe's eye is in mourning, and he's as lame and bruised as though he'd been through a threshing machine."
Horace remained silent.
Kingdon sent out his men to bat and practice base running, and Hicks gave an exhibition of his ability to steal sacks, being highly successful. Horace Pence was really interested in this practice. Such snappy work he had never seen before. Kirby and Ben Comas lighted cigarettes.
"You fellows better cut out the coffin-nails if you want to keep your wind," Kingdon advised them.
"You better smoke a few yourself, Blondy," growled Kirby, "if they'll really reduce your supply of hot air."