Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/174

156 Plum. "I've suspected right along that he stood in with you fellows."

"Don't say a word against Murphy," came from Dave. "He is worth a dozen bullies like you, and a hundred such sneaks as Macklin."

"Don't you call me a bully!" retorted Plum, hotly.

"I shall call you that, Plum. And please remember that I have not forgotten that happening on the river," continued Dave.

"Nor have I forgotten it," came simultaneously from Roger and Phil.

"It was your own fault."

"We won't talk about that now," went on Dave. "The question is, are you going to work or not?" and he looked from Plum to Macklin.

"I'll do what I can," whined the sneak. He was afraid the crowd would set upon him and beat him mercilessly.

"Don't you do it," came from the bully. "They can't prove that we had a hand in this."

"Oh, so you acknowledge it," said Ben, quickly. "I must say it's a fine way in which to treat a new fellow like myself."

"Humph! You don't want to be friends," sneered Gus Plum.

"I certainly don't want to be a friend to a bully or a sneak," answered Ben. "I like to pick my company."