al looked on, and he was compelled to laugh. Then a sudden idea struck
him. Like a flash he darted out of sight behind the pile of empty boxes
and barrels.

Muttering something under his breath, Dick Ferris struggled to his feet.
As soon as he did this the street children took to their legs, dragging
their sleds after them. Ferris made after one or two of them, but was
unable to effect a capture.

"Run off wid yerself!"

"We ain't got no use fer bullies!"

Spat!

A snow-ball took Ferris right in the ear, and caused him to utter a
sharp cry of pain.

Then another took him in the face, and in trying to dodge he slipped and
went into a snow-drift.

He was quickly on his feet, and this time ran after the crowd so fast
that he caught one of the boys.

"Lemme go!" howled the youngster.

"Not much, you rat! Take that!"

Ferris struck the boy in the mouth, and the little fellow let out a
yell.

Hal was just about to dart to his assistance when a policeman came along
and touched Ferris on the shoulder.

"What's the trouble here?" he demanded.

Ferris turned savagely, but his manner changed when he beheld the
officer of the law.

"This chap is a rascal," he explained.

"In what way?"

"He fired a snow-ball at me and hit me in the ear."

"I didn't," howled the urchin. "It was anudder fellow wot fired dat
snow-ball."

And he began to cry bitterly.

"It was only done in fun, I suppose," said the officer.

"Fun!" fumed Ferris. "Look at my clothes!"

The officer did so. Ferris was covered with snow and dirt, principally
the latter.

"The snow-ball couldn't have done that," said the policeman.

He was in sympathy with the small boy, whom he knew as the son of one of
his friends.

"I know. But this boy and a lot of his chums got to throwing at me, and
in trying to dodge I went down."

The policeman paused for a moment, and then turned to the urchin.

"See here, bubby, if I let you go will you promise not to throw any more
snow-balls?"

"Yes, sir," came in one breath, and very eagerly.

"Then run."

"What! ain't you going to arrest him?" cried Dick Ferris, in some
excitement.

"I think not."

"But he ought to be."

"I fancy I know my own business best," was the short reply.

"But he is a little imp, and----"

"Better let it go. I dare say you throw snow-balls yourself once in a
while."

And with this remark the policeman moved on.

"Well, that's a fine way to treat a fellow," muttered