"Going away?" mumbled Merwell, when he could speak.
"Yes, and after this, Link Merwell, see that you keep a civil tongue in your head," answered Dave, and then he trimmed the sail of the iceboat, shoved the craft around, and started for the river.
Dave was a good deal "worked up," but he had not deemed it wise to let his enemies see it. To be called a "poorhouse rat" had stung him to the quick, and once again when touched on that subject he had found his temper as ungovernable as ever.
"It's no use, I can't stand it," he told himself. "If they want me to let them alone they have got to cut that out."
It was now so dark that but little could be seen on the broad river. Dave turned the craft towards Robber Island and made a long tack. He was just coming around on the other tack when there came a shout out of the darkness.
"Don't run us down! Why, it's Dave!"
"Right you are," was the reply. Then he saw Roger and the others, who had started to walk to Oak Hall. They were soon beside the Snowbird, and the craft was headed for the school.
"So Poole and Merwell had her," observed Messmer, on the way. "Did you have any trouble making them give her up?"
"Just a little," answered Dave, modestly.
