Hoki had been down to the post office on an errand for Chot and Tom and was returning when he was accosted by several of the village boys, led by a young bully, named Carter Dane. Carter had never liked the Comrades, and insisted that since they had been away a year to school they were “stuck up,” and did not care for the company of their former associates.
“Watch me have some fun with this Jap,” he remarked, a sneer curling his lip, as he saw Hoki approaching along the road.
The little Jap was moving at a good pace, despite the hotness of the afternoon, and was right upon the boys, who were sitting on a fence in the shade, before he saw them. Then, to show his good will, he grinned and bowed.
“What do you mean by speaking to your betters?” cried Carter Dane, as he confronted the Jap.
He towered at least a head over Hoki, and was built after a stocky fashion, with plenty of muscle and strength from a life lived mostly in the open air.
“No understand,” said Hoki, pausing and backing away a little, as if in doubt as to Carter’s purpose.
“No, I guess you don’t understand,” continued the bully. “No Jap ever understands anything worth understanding. I don’t know why those fellows ever brought you to Mortonville, but I do know one thing—you can’t speak to every boy you meet in the village.”
Hoki said nothing, unable to fathom Carter’s motive for talking thus. He could not see where one whom he had never harmed could have a motive for wishing to do him injury.
“So you’re afraid, eh?” demanded the bully. “I thought so. You get that from Chot Duncan and his crowd.”
“Chot Duncan all right!” said Hoki. His face was expressionless, but his little black eyes fairly snapped fire as he glared at his antagonist.