“I wouldn’t risk my life in that tub again for any money,” he shouted; “you may bet on that, old beeswax.”

Frank made no reply, but pushed the boat from the shore again as soon as possible.

James now felt safe; and, gathering up a handful of stones, determined to wreak his vengeance on Brave.  The sensible Newfoundlander, at first, paid no attention to this cowardly assault; but the stones whizzed by in unpleasant proximity, now and then striking the sail or the side of the boat, and he began to manifest his displeasure, by showing his teeth and growling savagely.

Frank stood it as long as possible, knowing that the best plan was to remain silent; but James continued to follow the boat, and the stones struck all around the object of his vengeance.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” said Frank, at length.

“You do, eh?” said James.  “How are you going to hinder it?  But perhaps you would rather have me throw at you.”

And, picking up a large stone, he hurled it at his cousin with great force.  It fell into the creek, close to the boat, and splashed the water all over Frank.

This seemed to enrage Brave more than ever, and he sprang into the water, and swam toward the shore, and no amount of scolding on Frank’s part could induce him to return.  James, fearing that he was about to be punished in a way he had not thought of, turned and took to his heels.

At this moment a loud shout was heard, and several boys sprang over the fence into the road, and James was speedily overtaken and surrounded.  They were a ragged, hard-looking set of fellows, and Frank knew that they were the Hillers; besides, he recognized the foremost of them as Lee Powell.  They had their fishing-rods on their shoulders, and each boy carried in his hand a long string of trout.

“Look’e here, you spindle-shanked dandy,” said Lee, striding up and laying hold of James’s collar with no friendly hand, “does yer know who yer was a heavin’ rocks at?  Shall we punch him for yer?” he added, turning to Frank.

“No,” answered Frank; “let him go; he’s my cousin.”

Lee accordingly released him, and James said, in a scarcely audible voice,

“I was only in fun.”

“Oh, only playin’, was yer?” said Lee; “that alters the case ’tirely—­don’t it, Pete?”

The boy appealed to nodded his assent, and Lee continued,

“We thought yer was in blood arnest.  If yer had been, we wouldn’t a left a grease-spot of yer—­would we, Pete?”

“Mighty cl’ar of us,” answered Pete.

As soon as James found himself at liberty, he started toward home at full speed, hardly daring to look behind him.  Brave had by this time gained the shore, and was about to start in pursuit, but a few sharp words from Frank restrained him.

“Whar are yer goin’?” inquired Lee, walking carelessly down the bank.

“I’m going to the village,” answered Frank.