But I haven't paid for trying to Regulate me, that night." "He didn't do it, did he ?" inquired Frank.
"No, 'cause you fellows wouldn't let him." "Then, we don't want you to whip him now." "Wal, if you say so, I won't; but he oughter be larnt better manners--hadn't he, Pete ?" "'Course," was Pete's laconic answer.
"Now, Charley," said Archie, "you may take yourself off as soon as you wish; they will not hurt you." "Not this time," said Lee, shaking his hard fist in Charles's face; "but we may come acrost you some time when you hasn't nobody to stand up for you; then you had better look out--hadn't he, Pete ?" "Hadn't he, though!" was the answer.
Charles did not need any urging, and he was quickly out of sight.
"I'd like to see you jest a minit, Frank," said Lee, as the former was about to move away.
Frank drew off on one side, and the Hiller continued, "I promised I'd allers be a friend to you fellers that stood up for me that night, and I want to let you see that I haven't forgot my promise.

I know that I can't do much for you, but I jest want to show you that I allers remember favors." Here he turned, and made a motion to one of his companions, who darted off to the boat, and soon returned, bringing a young otter in his arms.
"I allers heerd," continued Lee, as his companion came up, "that you have a reg'lar hankerin' arter ketchin' and tamin' wild varmints.

Now, we want you to take this as a present from us.

I know it ain't much, but, arter all, a young otter is a thing a feller can't ketch every day.

Will you take it ?" "Certainly," answered Frank, as he took the little animal in his arms.
"I have long wished for an otter, and I thank--" "Hold on there," interrupted Lee.