Part 38 (1/2)

”It is only twenty minutes of four.”

”In the afternoon? Goodness we are late.”

”No, in the morning, you ninny. This is a shame. I'll bet that band concert was your suggestion, Phil Forrest.”

Phil admitted the charge.

”Then you must take your medicine with the rest of us. Come out of that!”

One of Phil's feet was peeping out from under the covers.

Teddy saw it and grabbed it. Being a strong boy, the mighty tug he gave was productive of results.

Phil landed on his back on the floor, with a resounding thump and a jolt that made him see stars.

”Teddy Tucker, look out; I'm coming!”

”You had better look out; I'm waiting.”

The two supple-limbed youngsters met in the middle of the cabin floor and went down together. They were evenly matched, and the muscles of their necks stood out like whip cords as they struggled over the floor, each seeking to get a fall from his antagonist.

Teddy managed to roll under the bed, and there they continued their early morning battle, but under no slight difficulties.

Every time one of the gladiators forgot himself and raised his head, he b.u.mped it. Phil tried to force Teddy out from under the bed, but Teddy refused to be forced.

”When--when I get you out of here I am going to do something to you that you won't like, Teddy Tucker,” panted Phil.

”What--what you going to do to me?”

”I'm going to pour a pitcher of cold water on your bare feet.”

”Oh!”

The thought of it sent Teddy into a nervous chill. He would rather take a sound thras.h.i.+ng, at any time, than have that done to him. Now he struggled more desperately than ever to hold Phil under the bed. At last, however, the boys rolled out and Teddy's shoulders struck the cabin floor with a bang that sent the pitcher jingling in the wash bowl.

Phil sprang up, seized the water pitcher, making a threatening move with it toward his companion.

”Wow! Don't, don't!” howled Teddy.

Phil pursued him around the cabin, the water splas.h.i.+ng from the pitcher to the floor. Teddy yelling like a wild Indian every time he stepped in the puddles.

The window was open and the band was playing just outside.

Suddenly a new plan occurred to Teddy--a plan whereby he might escape from his tormentor.

Taking a running start he sprang up, making a clean dive through the window head-first.

The lad had intended to land on his hands, do a cartwheel and come up easily on his feet. But the best-laid plans sometimes go wrong.

The ba.s.s drummer was pounding his drum right in line with the window. Teddy did not see the drum until too late to change his course. His head hit the drum with a bang.

He went clear through it, his head protruding from the other side. And there he stuck!