"Hey there, Bill Dugan," yelled Bob; "get away from that boat!"
"Well, I declare—if that isn't 'Surly Joe' with him," panted Dick. "Crickets, but this is a surprise!"
Both the trapper and "Little Bill" wheeled sharply around at Bob's command. Dugan's face flushed; he was evidently disconcerted and no doubt felt like taking to his heels, but "Surly Joe's" unamiable countenance glared defiance.
"Don't pay no attention to 'em, Bill," snarled the latter. "They hain't got no more sense than ter skeer away a hull flock of the finest ducks you ever see. Jump in, an'——"
"Don't do anything of the sort, Dugan," commanded Bob, firmly. "You have no right to touch that boat!"
"What's the reason I hain't?" cried "Little Bill," with a show of courage. "Old Barton says ter me—he says, 'Bill, if ever——'"
"Don't chin with 'em all day, but jump in," interrupted "Surly Joe," angrily. "Didn't you say that you an' me could have a little sail? You ain't skeered of them young kids, I hope, Bill Dugan?"
"You don't know how to sail a boat, anyway," cried Bob. "We won't stand any nonsense now."
"Jist listen at him—wal, did I ever hear the beat of it? If that ain't impertinence fur ye," growled Joe Tomlin. "He's insulted, ye, Bill Dugan—that's what he's done. Do you stand fur sich talk as that?"
"No, I don't!" yelled Dugan, fiercely.