Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/123

Rh "No you don't, Frank. I'm not going to open my mouth, just yet!" answered Lanky, setting his jaws in the determined way Frank knew only too well.

"But why keep it from me of all fellows? Wasn't it my boat that was battered, and didn't I have to swim alongside you to get on shore? You ought to tell me," said Frank, in a wheedling tone, which was however wasted.

"That's just one of the reasons why I'm not going to tell right now. It would help to break you up for the race," Lanky retaliated.

"Humbug! A little thing like that wouldn't bother me. I can give a pretty good guess as it is, you know," continued Frank, aggressively.

"Alright. You're at liberty to do all the guessing you want; but I'm not going to blab what I know—not yet, anyhow."

"You've got another reason," remarked Frank, scanning his face closely.

"Have I, now?" laughed Lanky, in no wise taken aback.

"Yes, and I can see where the shoe pinches, too," Frank went on.

"Put me wise, then. You're a mind reader, I reckon, if you do," was the muttered words of the other.

"Listen then. You're afraid that if you denounce the rascal it will interfere with the chances of