“All right,” he said. “We agree. But you’ve spoiled our fun and you must let us have the slide the rest of the time to-night.”
“That’s all right,” agreed Bert and Lanny in a breath.
Cupples graciously informed Ben that the terms were satisfactory.
“Then you fellows come down,” said Ben.
“You release your prisoner,” said Cupples.
An instant later Small was scooting homeward again as fast as his legs would carry him. Then the garrison evacuated, Bert, Lanny and Kid marching gravely down the steps and Cupples and Crandall flying down the slide on their toboggan. The three juniors encountered the enemy at the foot of the incline. Ben scowled wrathfully.
“You kids think you’re mighty smart, don’t you?” he sneered.
Bert and Lanny smiled sweetly, but forebore to make reply as they turned homeward. Kid, however, irrepressible even in the face of danger, executed a weird dance in the snow.
“Io triumphus!” exulted Kid.