"Anyway, the two seem to have a good deal in common." "Well, it was a mean piece of business," said Belle.

"Oh, I do wish the Merwells would sell out to some nice people! It would be splendid to have real good neighbors." On the following Monday the boys went fishing "on their own hook," as Phil expressed it, although Jessie said he had better say "hooks," since they proposed to use several of them.

The boys rode over to the river and took with them their shotguns.

While fishing they kept their horses in sight and their firearms ready for use, and had any horse-thieves shown themselves they would have met with a hot reception.

Fishing proved good, and inside of three hours they had all the fish on their strings that they cared to carry.
"Let us ride up the river a bit," suggested Phil, after they had eaten their lunch.