a taste of their own
medicine," and with loud shouts the five comrades started to gather up
the snow as they chased pell-mell toward the scene of excitement.

CHAPTER II

THE MAN WHO LOVED NATURE

"Give it to them, boys!" Josh was shouting as he started to send his
first ball straight at the group of busy tormentors who were showering
the helpless old man with their icy balls that must have stung almost
as much as so many rocks.

He seemed to be lame, for while he tried to advance toward the young
rascals waving his stout cane wildly, they had no difficulty in keeping
a safe distance off, and continuing the cruel bombardment.

The smashing of that ball flung by Josh, who was pitcher on the Lenox
baseball team, and a fine shot, was the first intimation the three
tormentors of the old man had that the tables had been turned.

"Hey! look here what's on to us!" shrilled one of the trio, as he felt
the sudden shock caused by the first snowball striking the back of his
head.

Upon that the bully of the town and his two allies were forced to turn
and try to defend themselves against this assault from the rear. They
fought desperately for a very short time, but their hands were already
half frozen, and five against three proved too great odds for their
valor.

Besides, every time Josh let fly he managed to land on some part of the
person of Tony Pollock or one of his cronies. And those hard balls when
driven by the sturdy arm of the baseball pitcher stung mercilessly.

The old man stood and watched, with something like a smile on his face.
He seemed to have forgotten all about his own recent predicament in
seeing these young rowdies receiving their just dues. If he had not
been old and lame possibly he might have insisted on joining in the
fray, and adding to the punishment being meted out to the three
cowardly boys.

Once a retreat was begun, it quickly merged into a regular panic. Tom
stayed to talk to the old man while his comrades pursued the fleeing
trio, and peppered them good and hard. When finally they felt that they
had amply vindicated their right to be reckoned worthy candidates for
scout membership they came back, laughing heartily among themselves,
to where Tom and the old man were standing.

"Why, I've seen that old fellow before," Josh remarked in a low
tone as he and Carl, George and Felix drew near. "His name is Larry
Henderson, and they say he's something of a hermit, living away up in
t