Phil flashed upon him what he intended to be a look of contempt.
“Look out, Bill, that’s young ‘Eat-em-alive,’” grinned another loafer, rising and advancing toward the boys.
The proprietor of the store, however, had chanced to hear the loafers’ remarks, and, hurrying to learn their cause, arrived just as the young homesteaders entered the door.
Struck by the clean-cut and manly appearance of the boys, he ordered the bullies to be quiet, then asked:
“What can I do for you, gents?”
“We want a homesteader’s outfit,” replied Phil.
The words evoked loud guffaws from the loungers.
“For whom?” asked the store-keeper.
“Ourselves!” snapped Ted.
“Where have you filed?”