[All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake by Oliver Optic]@TWC D-Link bookAll Aboard; or, Life on the Lake CHAPTER XVI 2/11
There was a great deal of hard work to be done; but each of the Rovers seemed to expect the others would do it. "Now, Charley, everything is right so far," said Tim Bunker, whose party had just drawn Joe Braman's boat upon the beach. "Everything is wrong," Charles wanted to say; but Tim was too powerful to be lightly offended. "I can do nothing with such a crew as that," whined he.
"They won't mind, and every fellow wants his own way." "Hit 'em if they don't mind," replied Tim. "I think we had better spend an hour in drilling them.
We can't handle the boat as it is." "We must get the tents up before we do anything else.
You go after the stakes and poles and I will get the provisions." Before the crews returned to the boats, Tim made a little speech to them upon the necessity of order; promising, if any boy did not obey, he would thrash him "within an inch of his life." "Now tumble into the boats, and, Charley, if any feller don't do what you tell him, let me know it, and I will lick him for you." "All aboard!" said Charles. "Where are we going now ?" asked one of his crew. "No matter; all you have got to do is to obey orders," replied Charles, sharply. "Say that again!" said the fellow, with an oath, as he doubled up his fist, and menaced the unfortunate coxswain with a thrashing. "Hallo, Tim!" shouted Charles, who dared not venture to carry out the Bunker's summary policy. "What's the row ?" said Tim, as he hastened to the spot. "I can't do anything with this crew; here is a fellow shaking his fist in my face." "Let him be civil then," added the refractory Rover. "It was you, was it, Barney ?" said Tim, as he stepped into the boat. "I'll bet it was," replied the fellow, standing upon the defensive. "Take that, then," continued the "chief," as he brought his fist down upon the rebel with such force that he tumbled over the side of the boat into the water.
"You want to get up a mutiny--don't you ?" The fellow scrambled ashore, wet through and shivering with cold. "You'll catch it for that, Tim Bunker!" growled Barney. "I'll teach you to mind.
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