"You don't have to take the clothes back, you know, unless you happen to consider it safer to do it." "Hang those fellows," sighed Ted, as be gazed after the retreating Dick & Co.

"Well, I guess they've got me.

The wise thing will be for me to take these duds to Hi before he catches cold." So Ted gathered up the articles of apparel and with them started back into the woods.
"Hi, Hi!" he called, as be neared the thicket.
"Here," came an angry voice.
"Here's your old duds," growled Teall, as he reached the thicket that concealed young Martin, and threw the things on the ground.
"It's about time you brought 'em back," snapped Hi, making a dive for his belongings.
"I had a good mind not to do it at all," retorted Teall hotly.
"You'd have found yourself in hot water if you hadn't done it," Hi declared testily, as, having drawn on his underclothing, he seated himself to lace up his shoes.

Then he rose and reached for his trousers.
"See here, Ted Teall," cried Hi suddenly, holding the trousers forward, "what did you do with my gold watch that was in the pocket of these trousers." "I didn't see your old watch," grumbled Ted.
"Then you lost it out of the pocket while running through the woods, did you ?" insisted Hi angrily.
Teall felt cold sweat come out on his neck and forehead.

Well enough did he remember the gold watch, which was the envy of most of the schoolboys in Gridley.