their way up the hill, and Ralph asked the owner of the sled why he run
him down.

"Because you got in our way," replied the boy.

"No, I did n't," said Ralph; "there was room enough for you to go by,
but you steered out of your course, and gave my sled a kick, too."

"Don't you tell me I lie, you little snipper-snapper," answered the boy
"or I 'll put you in my pocket, and carry you off."

"See what you did," continued Ralph, pointing to the scratches on the
"Clipper;" "I should n't care anything about it, but the sled is n't
mine. I borrowed it of my brother, and it had n't a scratch on it when
I took it."

"Pooh," said the other boy, "that does n't hurt it any. I 'll be bound
it will be scratched worse than that, before the winter 's over. If
you get in my way with it again, I shall serve it worse than I did this
time."

The boys passed on their way, and Ralph and George, whose "fun" had
been thus suddenly and unjustly spoiled by their insolent and
domineering companions, concluded to return home. Poor Ralph dreaded
to meet Oscar; but yet he hunted him up, as soon as he got home, and
told him what had befallen the beautiful sled. Oscar was very angry
when he heard the story, but he generously acquitted his brother of all
blame in the matter, and declared that he would pay back the boy who
had thus taken advantage of his weakness. He knew the offender, from
Ralph's description, and from the name of his sled, which was the