g enough to attract any great
attention from the combatants, he felt obliged to assume a share in
the proceedings. It was a share entailing greater activity than he had
anticipated, and, before he managed to separate the former friends,
he intercepted bodily an amount of violence to which he was wholly
unaccustomed. Additionally, his attire was disarranged; his hat was no
longer upon his head, and his temper was in a bad way. In fact, as his
hat flew off, he made use of words that under less extreme circumstances
would have caused both boys to feel a much profounder interest than they
did in great-uncle Slocum.

"I'll GET you!" Sam babbled. "Don't you ever dare to speak to me again,
Penrod Schofield, long as you live, or I'll whip you worse'n I have this
time!"

Penrod squawked. For the moment he was incapable of coherent speech,
and then, failing in a convulsive attempt to reach his enemy, his fury
culminated upon an innocent object that had never done him the slightest
harm. Great-uncle Slocum's hat lay upon the ground close by, and Penrod
was in the state of irritation that seeks an outlet too blindly--as
people say, he "HAD to do SOMETHING!" He kicked great-uncle Slocum's hat
with such sweep and precision that it rose swiftly, and, breasting the
autumn breeze, passed over the fence and out into the street.

Great-uncle Slocum uttered a scream of anguish, and, immediately ceasing
to peacemake, ran forth to a more important rescue; but the conflict was
not renewed. Sanity had returned to Sam Williams; he was awed by this
colossal deed of Penrod's and filled with horror at the thaught that he
might be held as accessory to it. Fleetly he fled, pursued as far as
the gate by the whole body of Penrod, and thereafter by Penrod's voice
alone.

"You BETTER run! You wait till I catch you! You'll see what you get next
time! Don't you ever speak to me again as long as you--"

Here he paused abruptly, for great-uncle Slocum had recovered his hat
and was returning toward the gate. After one glance at great-uncle
Slocum, Penrod did not linger to attempt any explanation--there are
times when even a boy can see that apologies would seem out of place.
Penrod ran round the house to the backyard.

Here he was enthusiastically greeted by Duke. "You get away from
me!" Penrod said hoarsely, and with terrible gestures he repulsed the
faithful animal, who retired philosophically to the stable, while his
master let himself out of the b