Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/237

 to take any part in it. You made a mistake in trying to cross Bigden's bows when you did, because you had no room to do it without interfering with him. You threw him out of the contest, and came very near throwing Farnsworth out, too; consequently it will be my duty to bar you. I am sorry—"

"You needn't be, for I am sure I don't care," replied Noble, rudely. He tried hard to control himself so that the boys around him should not see how very angry he was, but his efforts met with little success. To be ruled out of one contest was to be ruled out of all; and that was a severe blow to a boy who had confidently expected to carry off some of the best prizes. "What are you going to do with Bigden?" he asked, or rather demanded of the referee.

"That depends," answered the latter, somewhat sharply.

"He can't do any thing with me because I have violated no rule," said Tom, defiantly. "You ran across my path when you had no business to do it, and an accident to my paddle made me run into you. That's all there is of it."