Several boys and a man were fishing near at hand, and now they drew closer to learn what was the cause of the trouble.
The man, who did some work for Mr. Hankers, sided with Bart, but the boys all favored Dave.
"Pitch into him, Dave," piped in one of the smaller lads. "He puts on too many airs, he does!"
"Don't you dare to touch Mr. Hankers," put in the man.
"I will do as I see fit, Hank Shores," retorted Dave. "Don't you interfere here."
"Never mind him, Shores," said Bart, with a sneer. "I can handle him well enough alone, and I'll give him all he wants, too."
"A fight! a fight!" exclaimed several of the boys, and soon a fair-sized crowd collected on the dock, for, in a village, a fight is a great event, to be talked over for many a day afterward.
"What's the trouble?" asked several.
"Dave Fearless and Bart Hankers are going to have it out."
"What started it?"