Andy flared up at once, and would have replied; but Frank calmly stepped in between the two, as though he claimed first right.

“Neither of us have charged you with intentionally trying to disable our aeroplane by dropping that sand bag, Puss,” he remarked quietly.  “All we say is that it was a queer coincidence you wanted to get rid of your ballast just when we were walking up on you hand over fist, and about to pass under you, to take the lead.  That’s all!”

Again there was a low laugh from among the boys who stood around listening.  To them it was a rich treat to see the recognized bully of Bloomsbury baited to his very face in this characteristic way; and they were enjoying it hugely.

“Well, let me tell you it ain’t all, not by a jugful!” exclaimed Puss, his face taking on a purple hue, as it always did when he became enraged.  “Both of you fellows have got to stop speaking about that sand bag dropping, or there’s going to be a licking in store for you.  See?” and he thrust his face close to that of Frank as he said this.  Larry Geohegan fairly held his breath.  “Now it’s coming; don’t I know the signs?” he whispered to the boy next him.

Frank continued to stand there, close to the side of the speeding launch.  They were about half way across the deep lake at the time.  Evening was coming on, for the sun had just reached the distant rugged horizon in the west.

“Do you refer to me when you say that, Puss?” he asked, with that same queer little smile on his face—­a look that mystified the other, who could not understand what it meant.

“Yes, both you and that loud-mouthed cousin of yours.  Just because luck favored you, and you won that blooming race by a head, you think I can’t manage an aeroplane as well as you.  Huh! perhaps you don’t know that I’m going to take my machine with me when I go down to the cocoa plantation we own along the Amazon, and use it exploring where a white man has seldom been seen.  You can just stay here and grow up with the country, while I’m doing great stunts.  But as long as I stay here I’m going to stop this talk about trickery and low-down dodges.  You’re responsible for most of it, Frank Bird.  I warn you what’s coming to you.”  “Perhaps,” said Frank, pleasantly, “you would be kind enough to tell me also when this awful punishment is going to fall on my poor devoted neck?”

“Any time, hang you!  Right now, if you say another word!” roared Puss, doubling up his fists, and making ready for one of his well known and feared bull rushes, that had brought him a speedy victory many a time.

“So?  That’s comforting; and with all these good fellows around to see how you wipe up the deck with me.  Suppose you begin the swabbing act, Puss!” and Frank pretended to throw himself in a position of defense.

The other gave utterance to a hoarse cry of rage, and lowering his head after the manner of a bull, jumped forward.  But the agile Frank simply stepped aside; and unable to check himself in time, Puss Carberry shot over the side of the power boat, disappearing in the clear waters of Sunrise Lake with a great splash.