"I guess so, but the next time you want to give me a wider berth or I'll be tempted to put a head on you."
"Ho, ho, hear the young bantam! Suppose you learn how to spell able."
Jack said nothing more but paddled about and managed to pick up all but two or three of his fish, while the Winner headed down the lake and was soon lost to sight round the bend.
"Just the same I don't believe he tried very hard not to hit me," muttered Jack as he headed the canoe toward the cottage.
He found that Bob and Mike had just finished packing away the old engine and told them what had happened.
"Begorra," said Mike, "that was a mean trick. If I had them two young saplin's in me hands I'd rap their two heads together, so I would."
"Well," said Bob, "perhaps it was as Fred said and only an accident, but he ought to be taught to be more careful. However no great harm is done and now let's go up to the house and get some supper; I'm hungry enough to eat those fish raw."
Supper over and the dishes washed, it was nearly 9 o'clock, and the boys decided that they would go to bed and be up bright and early in the morning.
It seemed to Bob that he had hardly touched the pillow when some one began to shake him and opening his sleepy eyes he saw Mike standing by his bed, holding a lantern in his hand.
"Jump up and dress quick," he said, "some one is trying to get in to the boathouse. I was smoking a last pipe by the window and saw him sneaking round."