Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/280

 he added, addressing himself to the two boys who just then came out of the bushes with a heavy club in each hand.

"We're goin' to knock you out o' that boat if you don't fetch that there grub of our'n ashore without no more foolin'," answered Jake, in threatening tones. "It's our'n an' we're goin' to have it back."

"That's the idee, Jakey," exclaimed the old woman, approvingly. "Knock the young 'ristocrats out o' their boat. I reckon that'll bring 'em to time."

"If you try that, I'll lay some of you out flatter than so many pancakes," returned Roy, defiantly; and as he spoke he tore open the bag containing the potatoes. Catching up one in each hand, his example being promptly followed by Arthur Hastings, he arose to his feet just in time to dodge one of Jake's clubs, which came whirling through the air straight for his head. Before the missile had struck the water on the other side of the skiff, Roy launched one of his potatoes at the aggressor. Like most left-handed fellows Roy could throw like lightning; and the potato, flying true to