Penrod and Sam

ld neighbourhood. The sabres were of wood; the steeds were imaginary, and both were employed in a game called "

y, which effected his release and restored to him the full enjoyment of hostile activity. Pending such rescue, however, he was obliged to accompany the forces of his captor whithersoever their strategical necessities led them, which included many strange places. For the game was exciting, and, at its highest pitch, would sweep out of an alley into a stable, out of th

were waged, accompanied by the martial clashing

ris'ner, Ro

am

too! I tou

I'd like

he sl

felt it. I guess I'd '

hed you, and you're bonded.

d! He's on your side!

it, we'll do it over, and I guess you'll see whe

squ

erman, and substantially under the size to which his nine years entitled him. Verman was unfortunately tongue-tied, but he was valiant b

illiams and Penrod. Hence, it behooved these two to be wary, lest they be wiped out altogether; and Sam was dismayed indeed, upon cautiously scouting ro

touched from the rear. Therefore, he defended himself as best he could, and there followed a lusty whacking, i

ing immediately. "That coun

r!" Verman

t the occasion. "Yes, you are; that's the rule, Verman. I touch

" Verman

f I hit you on the shoe, it would be the same as hitting YOU, wouldn't it? I guess it'd count if I hit you on the

erated with a native amiability to render him far less effecti

his captor to a hidden place among some bu

s you won't say I'm not so much use any more! Squat down, Verman, so's they can't see you if

squatted, and then bega

ommanded. "You want to betr

mimmup," Ver

e mean?"

r with Verman's utteran

ll get him bac

't. I'd just

here all day, can we? And they'd find us anyhow, if we tried to. There's so many of 'em against just

on him? We could put bonds on his wrists and around his legs-we co

got any rope or anything to make the bonds with, have we? I wish we had some o'

Sam repeated, n

lained. "That's the main and simple reason they can't wake up, and y

His laughter ceased instantly, and he began

gloomily. "We haven't got any o

to do sumpth

a thoughtful silence; but presentl

ght of it just as EASY! I can most always think of things like that

imple reason", had been growing more and more irksome to his friend all day, though Sam was not definitely

and, a gesture that was unnecessary but had a good appearance. He looked all ro

simple reason I expect they're all in the

ully, his irritation much increased.

ple reason," Penrod replie

ms. The emotion that prompted this impulse was so primitive and straightforward that it almo

!" he

te grievance to the common weal. "Get up!" he commanded. "You get up, too, Verman. You got to-it's the rule. Now here I'll SHOW you what

ollowing Penrod and assuming a stooping position in imitation of him. Verman was delighted with this phase of the game, and, also, he was profoundly amused by Penrod's pomposity. Something dim and deep within him

d said, looking back d

in this fashion until they reached Penrod's own front gate. Here the leader ascertained, by a reconnaissance as far as the corner, that the hostile forc

' to stand around here all day, I guess! You got an

of detached and lofty concentration-a histrionic failure, si

mured. "I go

olite Mr. Willi

rced to sit upon the ground, so exhausting was the mirth to which he now g

inute from now, ole Mister Verman!" he said severe

uch, then?" Sam demanded, as Verman rose. "Why'n't

ly led the way

id, "and I guess you'l

tole up the steps of the porch, and, after a moment's manipulation of the knob of

lated giggle on the part of Verman, which was restrained upon a terrible gesture from Penrod. Verman buried his mouth

room of his nineteen-year-old sis

husky voice, "I expect you'll

we stay here very long your mother'll come

or, he threw it open, disclosing a clothes-closet hung with pretty garments of many kin

at intimate treasury: there was no knob or latch upon the inner side, so

d I'll bet they won't get to touch you back out o'

ere goin' to do? Why, your mother'll

made a lot o' noise, it's kind of hard to hear anything from in there, anyway, when the door's shut. Besides, he's got to keep

" said

on in the

e he presented an interesting effect of contrast. He was still subject to hilarity-though e

ding the way from the roo

ched their retreat in the Williams' yard again, without his

Sam's withholding the praise that might naturally have been expected. And he was moved to add, "I guess

ked. "Why would it of

airily, "just for the m

no longer. "Oh, hu

. "Do you mean M

the goaded

tell ME t

, I

sly. "I guess I just better show you who you're talkin' to like th

the waist. Simultaneously with this impact, the wooden swords spun through the

y could have clearly stated its cause) and that very irritation produced a corresponding emotion in the bosom of the irritator. Men

d Sam were both in a state of high exasperation, and there was great bitterness; but no blows fell and no tears. They strained, they wrenched, they twisted, and they pante

shoulder, while ankles and insteps were scraped and toes were trampled. Turf and shrubberies suffered, also, as the struggle went on, u

ow Penrod was on top, now Sam; they rolled, they squirmed, they suffered. And this contest endured. It went on and on, and it was impossible to imagine its coming to a defini

r brother to Verman) and followed by the bonded prisoners, Maurice Levy and Georgie Bassett. These an

called the fact that several times, during earlier stages of the game, both of them had been unnecessarily vigorous in "touching" his own rather plump person. Therefore, the opportunity being excell

For one thing, it ended the civil war instantly. Sam and Penrod leaped to their feet, shrieking and bloodthirsty, while Ma

hem right fo

omething not within the rules

etreating. "I was just takin' you pris'ners.

t light. They had retrieved their own weapons, and they advanc

m me!" he said, in great

r, when it was over, and the final vocalizations of Roderick Magsworth Bitts, Junior, were growing faint with increasing distance, Sam and Penrod had forgotten their differences and felt well disposed toward each other once m