“Ain't I got the heartburn?” blustered the bully. “I can't do nuthin' when I git that. Wait till I'm well; then I'll show him.”
“If you ever touch me again, Jack Sagger, I'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had,” said Joe, loudly. “Remember, I am not the least bit afraid of you. The best thing you can do is to keep your distance.”
“Humph!”
“I don't want to quarrel with anybody, but I am always ready to stick up for my rights, just you remember that.”
So speaking Joe backed out of the crowd, that opened to let him pass. Several of the boys wanted to detain him, but not one had the courage to do so. As soon as he was clear of his tormentors, he hurried back to the hotel.
“How did you make out?” asked Mr. Drew.
“It's all right, sir, and they'll send the things to-night, sure,” answered Joe. He hesitated for a moment. “I had a little excitement on the way.”
“How was that?”
“Jack Sagger and some other boys followed me up and wanted to polish me off.”
“You don't look as if they had done much polishing.” And the hotel man smiled.