"No doubt of that, the blackguards!" exclaimed Dick Short.
"Good! We proceed to call them 'dudes,' 'kid-glovers,' 'exquisites' and such terms, and straightway we become blackguards also."
"I don't think stealing and hitting back are the same thing," growled Ben Ludlow, who felt that he was thoroughly beaten in the argument.
"But what makes a thief or a blackguard on one side of the lake makes a thief or a blackguard on the other side," added Dory.
"Now, fellows, you have just won a victory by holding your tongues and minding your own business. I want you to obey orders, and win another victory in the same way."
"All right, Dory; we will obey orders, for you get us through every time when we do," said Corny Minkfield.
"But I think we ought to give them some if they are saucy to us," persisted Ben Ludlow.
"We will give them some—some instruction in gentlemanly behavior if they need it," replied Dory. "Give way!"
Ben Ludlow raised no farther objection, and the boat went ahead again in the direction of Sandy Beach.