“Ye see,” chuckled Old Bill, “them perlice needs me ag’in.”
CHAPTER XVIII
THE COLONEL IS ANGRY
“What do you mean by such conduct, you young rascals?” thundered Colonel Ellison, wrathfully.
Bill Stiles had manœuvred in such a manner that the “Dart” now rested between the “Reindeer” and house-boat.
“Well,” answered Bill, calmly, “those Thornton chaps have been too fresh lately, and we’re just showing them for about the hundredth time that it doesn’t pay to buck up against Ripley.”
“Oh, you are, eh?” sneered Lon Bates. “If it hadn’t been for this gentleman and his choofer, I wouldn’t have given you an inch.”
“Of course not,” chimed in Ralph Chickers, no less disgusted than his chief.
“That will do from you, ‘Chickens,’” observed Bill Stiles.
Colonel Ellison moved uneasily in his seat.