Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/104

 dropped his cap over the oats and turned upon the defiant Tony.

"You have tried to poison him, you sneak. A boy that would poison a little horse like him ought to be thrashed. He ought ter be killed."

"You ain't the one to do it, anyhow. You are just a cheap sneak. You couldn't ride a pig. I peeped through the tent and saw you try to ride Sir Wilton. You ought to have a pig to ride, monkey-face." With the last words Tony reached up and slapped Freckles on the cheek soundly.

Quick as a flash Freckles returned a stinging blow on the dandy's face.

This astonished Tony greatly, for he was something of a bully, and had not thought this green-looking country boy would fight.

A moment he hesitated. His better course was to flee, but he was boiling with anger because of his day's bad fortune, and he wanted to vent it on some one.