CHAPTER XIV
GOOD-BYE TO OAK HALL
"I'll wager Merwell is the maddest boy Oak Hall ever saw!" said Shadow, when the excitement had subsided.
"Poole is a sneak, and no mistake," said Sam. "I wonder if he'll go and tell old Haskers or Doctor Clay?"
"He won't dare—for he is afraid we will tell about the fire-crackers," answered Dave. "Yes, he is a sneak."
"I don't see, now, how I could ever make a friend of him," declared Gus Plum. "Now, in one way, I like Merwell—he's a fighter and he doesn't care who knows it."
"Yes, but he's got a wicked temper," observed Roger. "He reminds me of Nick Jasniff. They would make a team."
"Where did he come from, anyway?" questioned Messmer.
"From some ranch out West. His father is a big cattle-owner. He is used to life in the open air, and one of the fellows says he can ride like the wind."
125