It required but a few seconds for Keekie Joe to decide to run true to
form. The situation was an unusual one, the missile was a delicious
morsel, and was nothing more nor less than what he had demanded. But
still it had been thrown at him and Keekie Joe elected to consider it
as a shot fired by the enemy.

"Whatcher chuckin' things at me fer?" he demanded, descending from the
fence and approaching Pee-wee with a terrible look of menace. He had
been careful, however, to pick the jawbreaker up and put it in his
mouth.

"Didn't you say you wanted one?" Pee-wee asked. "Didn't you just put
it in your mouth?"

"Never you mind wot I done," said Keekie Joe. "D'yer think yer cin
sass me?"

"I'll show you how to catch if you'll say you'll be a scout," Pee-wee
answered. There could be no better illustration of his desperation as
a scout missionary than this artless proposition to the sentinel of
Barrel Alley.

"Who can't catch?" Keekie Joe demanded.

"You can't."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."