As Pepper came closer he saw that the bully held an ax in his hand, the handle shoved up the sleeve of his jacket.
"He is up to no good," thought Pepper.

"I'll watch him and see what he does." Pepper stepped out of sight behind the boathouse.

Looking through a window and a door, he saw Ritter walk up and down the float.

Evidently the bully wanted to make certain that he was not being observed.

Then, with a swift movement, he leaped aboard the sloop and crouched down out of sight.
"Guess it's time I got busy!" muttered Pepper to himself, and ran around the boathouse and out on the float.