Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/98

 the river, as the merrymakers were guarding the only exit.

"As I was characterizing our hard luck, a chunk of lead hurtled through the window and clinked musically on the armor. 'See what damage it did,' directed Tib. I didn't care to satisfy his trivial curiosity, and said so, and reminded him that I was young and loved to be alive and was interested solely in getting away.

"‘Why, child, that's all I'm thinking of,' he said, gravely. 'To see you rolled snugly in Mac's blankets is my only desire.'

"Of course I felt mean, and, stilling my bleat, I ambled over and examined the iron overcoat critically.

"‘Bullet struck square on breastplate and glanced off,' I announced.

"‘Good!' he cried, now all animation. 'Strap on your skates and we'll teach these sensation-mongers how to run a gentle joust-at-arms. I think the short, fat, Falstaff design will cling gracefully to my plump person.'

"And hang me, if he didn't insist that we put on the armor!

"‘Ho, armorer!' he cried. 'My casque and greaves! D'ye notice, Billy, my escutcheon? It's a lame leopard eating an angle-worm. And that means, "We Eat 'Em Alive." Live up to your old