He did a little later. Then Russ caught a second one, and after a while Laddie said he would go farther downstream to another “hole” he knew of.
“The fish are biting good to-day,” Russ said, as he baited his hook and threw it in again.
A little later a shadow fell on the grass behind Russ and Mun Bun. Russ turned around and saw—that ugly peddler boy who had taken the shortcake Rose had baked!
“Huh!” sneered the peddler, as he walked up with a pole in his hands. “What right you fellows got to fish here?”
“This is Farmer Joel’s land, and we’re staying at his house,” said Russ. “Course we have a right to fish here!”
“You have not!” cried the peddler. “And you’d better get away before I make you. I’ll punch you—that’s what I’ll do!”
Russ leaped to his feet and started toward the peddler lad, who was larger than Russ.
“Oh! Oh!” cried Mun Bun.
Then suddenly the peddler drew back his fist and struck Russ, knocking him down.