"I wonder how sailing was last night," put in Sam slyly.

At this Josiah Crabtree looked as black as a thundercloud.

"You boys have been playing the sneak on me!" he cried. "Take my
advice and beware of what you do in the future."

"I wasn't talking to you," retorted Sam.

"Kindly keep your remarks to yourself."

By this time others were coming to the table, consequently the
cross-fire of words had to come to an end. Josiah Crabtree
finished his repast as speedily as possible and strode out of the
dining room in high but suppressed anger.

"He's a corker," remarked Tom. "I believe he'd half kill us if
he dared."

"I guess he hasn't forgotten how I stopped him from maltreating
Dora Stanhope," said Dick. "I wish I knew if he had been around
their place since he came back from the West."

"Of course he has been back," said Tom. "And he'll marry Mrs.
Stanhope yet -- see if he don't."

"Not if I can help Dora prevent it," said his elder brother
firmly.

Breakfast finished they walked out to learn what had become of