Every line in the newspapers which related to the life of the cowboys or Indians he read and remembered, for his plan was to become a part of it as soon as he had money enough to start.
There were those who would have contributed five dollars each to send him, for he was considered a dangerous influence among the village boys.
If a window were broken by hoodlums at night it was counted against the minister's son.

If a melon patch were raided and the fruit scattered and broken, Harold was considered the ringleader.

Of the judgments of their elders the rough lads were well aware, and they took pains that no word of theirs should shift blame from Harold's shoulders to their own.

By hints and sly remarks they fixed unalterably in the minds of their fathers and mothers the conception that Harold was a desperately bad and reckless boy.

In his strength, skill, and courage they really believed, and being afraid of him, they told stories of his exploits, even among themselves, which bordered on the marvelous.
In reality he was not a leader of these raids.