upper end of the dock, past Giant and Whopper.

"Give it to 'em yourself," murmured a follower who had received a
blow in the eye. "I guess I won't fight any more to-day."

As quickly as it could be done, Whopper and Giant ranged alongside
of Snap and the doctor's son. They gazed defiantly at the crowd that
confronted them. For a brief spell there was an ominous silence.

"Say, did we come here to fight or to start on our outing?" asked
a lad of the Spink crowd. He was tall and thin, and evidently very
nervous. He was a newcomer in the town and knew but little about
the quarrels of bygone days.

"Don't waste time here," added another youth. "We can finish with
them when we come back."

"You are afraid, now that we are four to six," said Snap. "You
were willing enough to pitch into Shep and me when we were alone."

"Oh, give us a rest!" growled Ham Spink, not knowing what else to
say. He caught up the things he had been carrying. "Come on,
fellows," he added, and almost ran from the dock.

With great rapidity, for they were afraid Snap and his chums would
charge upon them, the others of the Spink coterie took up their guns,
rods and bundles and followed their leader.

"Let us go after 'em!" cried Whopper. "We can knock them into the
middle of next Christmas, and I know it!"