Julia burst into a loud laugh, and, the next moment, Frank and Brave were out of the gate, on their way to the village.

In the mean time several of Frank’s acquaintances had been amusing themselves on the village common with a game of ball.  At length it grew too dark for their sport to continue, and one of the boys proposed that they should decide upon some pleasant way of spending the Fourth.

In spite of the humiliating defeat which Charles Morgan and his companions had sustained, they were present; and the former, who had been making every exertion to regain the good-will of the village boys, exclaimed,

“Let’s go hunting.”

“No, no,” shouted several.

“The game in the woods isn’t good for any thing this time of year, Charley,” said James Porter, who, although he cordially disliked Charles, always tried to treat him kindly.

“Who cares for that?” exclaimed Charles, who, having always been accustomed to lead and govern his city associates, could not endure the steadfastness with which these “rude country boys,” as he called them, held to their own opinions.  Although, during the whole afternoon, he had been endeavoring to work himself into their favor, he was angry, in an instant, at the manner in which they opposed his proposition.  He had been considerably abashed at his recent defeat, and he knew that it had humbled him in the estimation of the Rangers, who, although they still “held true” to him, had changed their minds in regard to the prowess of their leader, and began to regard him, as one of them remarked, as a “mere bag of wind.”

Charles was not long in discovering this, and he determined to seize the first opportunity that was offered to retrieve his reputation.

Hastily casting his eyes over the group that surrounded him, he discovered that Frank and Harry, the ones he most feared, were still absent.  This was exactly what he had wished for.  With the assistance of his companions, the Rangers, who, he was confident, would uphold him, he could settle up all old scores, without fear of suffering in return.

Addressing himself to James, he continued, in an insulting tone,

“We don’t go to get the game to eat, you blockhead, but only for the sport of killing it.”

“I know that,” answered James, in a mild voice, not the least disconcerted by the other’s furious manner; “but wouldn’t it be better to—­”

“Shut up!” shouted Charles.  “I’ll do just as I please.  Besides, I never allow any one to dictate to me.”

“I didn’t intend to dictate at all, Charley.  I was going to say—­”

“Are you going to keep still,” roared the bully, “or shall I make you?”

And he began to advance toward James.

“See here, old fellow,” said Ben.  Lake, suddenly striding up, and placing himself directly in front of Charles, “don’t begin another fight, now.”

“I’ll show you whether I will or not!” exclaimed Charles; and, turning to the Rangers, he continued, “Come on, boys!  We can have things all our own way now.  We’ll see if—­”