me in a gentlemanly manner as long as I deserve it, at least."

"You--you threaten me, you young cub--you--"

"No; I do not threaten you. I am simply seeking to come to a
friendly understanding with you."

"And--and if--if I decide to treat you as I do the rest of my
men--what then?" sneered the manager.

"That depends. I can answer that question when I see how you do
treat them. From what I have seen, I should imagine they do not
lead a very happy existence," continued the Circus Boy with a
pleasant smile.

"If I keep you on this car I'll use you as I please, and the
quicker you understand that the better. Now, what do you propose
to do?"

"I propose," said Phil, still preserving an even tone, "to do my
duty and at the same time keep my self-respect. I propose, if
you persist in directing insulting language at me, to give you a
thrashing that will last you all the rest of the season."

Teddy, who had sat down on a pile of railroad ties beside
the tracks, could see and hear all that was going on in
the stateroom.

"Soak him, Phil!" howled the boy on the tie pile.