Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/140

126 "Which puts me in mind of another story," burst out Shadow, eagerly. "Once two men"

"Oh, Shadow, another?" cried Buster, reproachfully.

"I know that story—it's moss-covered with age," announced Roger.

"What is it?" demanded the story-teller of Oak Hall.

"Two men—bet—carry water in a sieve—bet taken—water frozen. Ha! ha! Shadow, I got you that time."

"Well, it's a good story anyway," answered Shadow, ruefully.

"I shan't attempt to stop Nat unless he makes some direct accusation," said Dave, calmly. "What would be the use? It would only make matters worse."

"If you took notice of what he says, some folks would begin to think there was something in it," said Phil. "Yes, better drop Nat. He isn't worth bothering about, anyway. Just the same, it is mean for him to speak in this fashion."

"He wouldn't be Nat Poole if he didn't," retorted Roger.

Despite this incident, the boys and girls managed to have a good time on the ice, and for an hour or two Dave forgot his troubles and those of his friends.

"What are you going to do for the rest of the