Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/69

Rh his side. Suddenly Jed stooped down and picked it up. Swinging it as he would a club, he struck with all his might at the croquet ball three feet above his head.

Crack! went the ball, stopped in its flight, and falling to the ground.

Snap! echoed the crutch end, and went flying straight through the air, striking a little boy about twenty feet away.

The lad was playing "Duck on the Rock," and was nearly knocked over. The crutch end struck his cheek, scratching and bruising it, and he gave a cry of pain. Then, seeing the cause of his hurt, he raised the brick he had been playing with, and hurled it at Jed with an angry cry.

"Good!" said Sammy, as the missile landed on Jed's stomach, and sent him reeling back.

The fat boy tried to get out of the way, but Jed stumbled and went flat. His feet swung out, and down came Tom, right on top of him.

"Hi! get off!" roared Jed.

"I can't—I'm too fat," declared Tom.

"Ouch! you're heavy."

"Can't help it. Don't wiggle so—you'll tip me over."

"Help!" whined Jed, all out of breath. "Oh, take him off!"

"Yes, I can't lift myself," chuckled Tom.

Frank, laughing, pulled Tom to his feet. Jed groaned as if a big load had been lifted from him. He started to get up. But his misery was not ended yet.

The little fellow he had hit with the crutch end had a sister, who also attended the school. She was a regular spitfire in temper. Now she came running up to Jed.

"You great big ape, you!" she cried. "Striking my little brother!" And she grabbed Jed by the hair and held on. "You—hit—my—lit-tle—brother, did you!"