"Go away, Jip!" Seth cried, clasping Dan by the body in such a manner as to pin the boy's arms to his side. "Clear out, an' after he gets over his mad a little he'll come 'round all right."
"It would only be servin' me in decent shape if he should jest about knock my head off," Jip replied penitently, making no move toward seeking safety in flight.
"I won't have Dan fightin' in the streets, an' there's no reason now why you should be thumped," Seth cried, speaking indistinctly because of his efforts to hold Master Roberts in check. "Get away as quick as you can!"
"I'll go if you say the word, though I ain't certain but he'd better do what he's tryin' for. You're a jim dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll square everythin' with you some day. I'm sleepin' in a boat up at the Erie Basin, an' I wish you'd come there to see me; I'd like to let you know how sorry I am for what I did."
Dan was making the most strenuous efforts to free himself from Seth's grasp, and the latter held him captive only by the greatest exertion.
"Don't hang 'round here any longer, Jip! Get away quick, an' I'll see you again some time."
"Will you come up to the Basin?"
"Yes, yes," Seth replied hurriedly, hardly understanding the promise he made because of his anxiety to prevent a fight, and Jip started off rapidly, crying as he ran:
"You're a dandy, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll pay you off for this as true as I live!"
Not until Jip was two blocks or more away did Seth release his hold and turn to face Dan in his wrath.