'Peggin' away,' returned Chippy. 'We done most o' the things out o' them books.'
'Ah!' said Dick. 'Now about that challenge. When would you like to try a friendly turn against us?'
'Any Sat'day arternoon,' cried Chippy eagerly. 'Yer would meet us, then? Yer leader ain't agin us now?'
'Well, it isn't the same leader,' replied Dick. 'The leader you saw has left us. We tried to get him to come back, but he wouldn't come. I'm the leader now.'
'Good, good!' said Chippy gleefully. 'Wot about nex' Sat'day at three, up at yer sandpit?'
'Yes, I think I can arrange for that,' returned Dick.
'We'll be there, an' proud to come,' said Chippy, whose face shone again with pride and satisfaction. 'An' we'll put up the best we know to gie yer a good practice.'
'We shall get all the practice we want if there are a few more like you among the Ravens,' laughed Dick.
'A bit of luck,' said Chippy modestly, 'that wor all. Well, I must get on. I'm in a job now, an' goin' on an errand. An' when yer at work, there's Law 2 to reckon with—playin' a straight game wi' yer boss.' So the patrol-leaders gave each other the full salute, and each went their way, for Dick's sister was now waiting for him.
'Who's your friend, Dick?' asked his sister. 'He looks like a ragged errand-boy.'