It was not long before the Golden Star, a stanch little side-wheeler, steamed up to the dock, and the waiting crowd rushed on board and secured favorable places on deck.  The baggage followed, and soon they were off, with a whistle which awoke the echoes of Cayuga Lake for miles around.

While waiting on the dock Dick had noticed three girls standing near them.  They were evidently from the rural district, but pretty and well dressed.  The boys took seats near the bow of the boat, on the upper deck, and presently the girls sat down not far away.

“He was awfully bold, Clara; I want nothing to do with him,” Dick heard the prettiest of the girls say.  “He had no right to speak to us.”

“He had dropped his handkerchief, and he pretended I was stepping on it,” said another of the three.  “Oh, here he comes now!” she went on as a youth of seventeen came into view.  He was large and bold-looking, and it was easy to see that there was a good deal of the bully about him.  He was smoking a cigarette, but on seeing the girls he threw the paper roll away.

“How do you do again?” he said, as he came up and tipped his hat.

At this all of the girls looked angry, and not one returned his salutation.  But, undaunted by this, the newcomer caught up a camp stool and planked himself down almost directly between the prettiest of the three and her companions.

“Splendid day for the trip,” he went on.

“Won’t you have some confectionery?” and he hauled from his pocket a box of cream chocolates and held them out.

“Thank you, but we don’t wish any,” said the youngest of the girls.

“Won’t you have some?” asked the unknown of the eldest girl.

“I don’t want any, and I told you before not to speak to me!” she said in a low voice, and the tears almost came into her eyes.

“I ain’t going to hurt you,” grumbled the young fellow.  “Can’t a fellow be pleasant like?”

“I do not know you, sir.”

“Oh, that’s all right.  My name is Daniel Baxter.  Sorry I haven’t a card, or I would give you one,” was the smooth rejoinder.

“I do not wish your card,” was the answer delivered in the most positive of tones.

“Oh, all right.  Yes, it’s a splendid trip,” said the fellow, and drew his camp chair even closer.  The girls wished to edge away, but there was no room in the narrow bow.  The eldest girl looked around as if for help.  Her eyes met those of Dick, and she blushed.

“Say, that fellow is a regular pill,” whispered Tom to his elder brother.

“Somebody ought to take him by the collar and pitch him overboard.”

“You are right, Tom,” answered Dick, and then as the bully attempted to crowd still closer to the girls he suddenly arose, took a few steps forward, and caught Dan Baxter by the arm.

“You get out of here and be quick about it,” he said in low but firm tones.