Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/190

 Matt's behalf, if he had seen fit to do so, would make the squatter angry, and awaken in him a desire to be revenged on the son since he could not harm the father in any way. The plan succeeded admirably. Matt laid his rifle on the ground so that he could shake both his fists, and the oaths and threats he uttered when he had thus relieved himself of all incumbrance, were frightful to hear. He did not yell, as he would like to have done, for he knew that the boys who had gone in pursuit of the bear were not far away; but he hissed out the words between his clenched teeth, and kicked and trampled down the bushes in his rage.

"I'd take the boat now, even if I knowed it wouldn't be of no use to me," said he, as soon as he could speak. "It'll cost ole man Wayring five an' mebbe twenty dollars to buy him another—"

"More than that," said Tom. "A good deal more."

"Wal, it'll be jest that much out of his pocket whatever it is," answered Matt Coyle. "Where did you say them boats was?"

"Right down there on the beach," replied