Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/128

112 As the craft went over, the three occupants went with it, and all landed in the water and mud heels over head. Then the launch went on, but Gus Plum turned off the power.

"That's the time you did it," was Chip Macklin's whispered comment. "Won't they be mad!"

"Mind, it was their fault, not ours," answered the bully, in a low voice. "We were steering a straight course and they got in our way," and the sneak nodded, to show that he understood.

When the three unfortunates managed to scramble to their feet they did a good deal of spluttering before they got rid of the water that had entered their mouths, noses, and ears. The boat, still on its side, was stuck in the mud of the river bank.

"All—all safe?" asked Roger, when he could speak.

"I'm safe, but I've got a lot of mud on me," answered Dave.

"Ditto here," came from Phil. "Boys, that was a mean trick," he added, indignantly.

"Hi, Gus Plum, I want you to stop!" yelled out Roger.

"What do you want?" came coolly from the bully.

"We want you to come back," added Dave.

"I'm not coming back."

"If you don't come back you'll be sorry for it."