“No matter what excuse they give don’t let them lay hands on the sled, Sim,” added Merritt.
“Not a foot nor a hand, be they ever so grand,” Sim assured the boys, proudly.
“All right, Sim,” said Tubby, as they moved off; “we trust you, remember.”
“You’re right Sim to trust; I’ll watch till I bust,” rejoined the rhyming youth.
Hardly had the lads vanished down the hill, however, before Sim, who in order to watch more closely, was seated right upon the sleigh, saw two figures approaching him.
“Here comes William Bender, and Jack Curtiss so slender,” improvised Sim as they drew closer.
“Hello, Sim,” exclaimed Jack, with great appearance of cordiality, “what are you doing?”
“Watching this sled, with heart and head,” was the response.
“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Jack, “at your rhyming again, eh, Sam? Want to earn a little money?”
“Don’t care for money; now isn’t that funny?” firmly replied Sim, taking a grip on the sled with both hands.