Sam heard them laughing. At first it infuriated him, but that stream of cold water cooled his rage swiftly. He got onto his hands and knees and tried to rise. The water struck him again, sending him back to his hands and knees. That was too much. Without realizing what a laughable spectacle he presented, he scrambled on all fours for a place of safety. He scampered round the corner after his brother, and Frank Merriwell was left in possession of the field. CHAPTER XV. THE FRUITS OF EFFORT. “Permit me to return your hose to you, sir,” said Merry, smilingly, as he gave the hose back to the man from whom he had snatched it. “I trust you will pardon me for my rudeness in taking it thus abruptly, but there did not seem to be time enough to ask in a polite manner.” The man was holding onto his sides and shouting with laughter. “O-ho! o-ho! o-ho!” he bellowed. “Funniest—thing—I—ever—saw! Oh-ho! a-haw! a-haw!” He wiped his eyes, literally gasping with laughter. “I am glad I was able to provide you with amusement, sir,” said Merry, quietly. “And I trust I have caused you no inconvenience.” “Hey?” The man suddenly grew sober. “By gosh!” he exclaimed. He looked alarmed. “What is it?” asked Frank. “Never thought of it before.” “Thought of what?” “What Sam Hooker may think about my lettin’ you have the hose.” “But you didn’t let me have it. I took it.” “I know you did, but Sam may not look at it that way.” “You fear he’ll make trouble for you?” “Yep.” “If he does, I’ll hunt him up and give him the worst thrashing of his life,” said Merry, with the utmost coolness, speaking loudly enough for the staring roughs to hear. “I have been very gentle with him thus far, but the limit is reached. Next time I have trouble with him I think I shall break his back.” “Gosh!” “Wow!” “Hear him talk!” “Bet he kin do it!” “He’s hot stuff!” These muttered exclamations came from the lips of the toughs. “Didn’t I tell ye he could do up all the Hookers in Missouri!” triumphantly cried the village boy. “I’ve read all about him, and he is the warmest biscuit in the pan.” “I reckon I’d better git away afore Sam Hooker comes back lookin’ fer me,” said the man who had been using the hose. He shut off the water, made haste to detach the hose, and hustled into the store, without saying another word. “Come on, gentlemen,” said Merry, speaking to his friends. “The Hookers seem to have hooked it.” Then he turned to the staring toughs, saying: “If it should happen that Sam Hooker wishes to see me again, tell him to come round to the hotel and call for me. If he hasn’t had enough, I’ll finish him next time.” With that he walked away, accompanied by Ephraim, Havener and Dunton. Dunton was breathing easier. “Merriwell,” he said, “I don’t know how you do it.” “It wasn’t half as hard as it looked,” declared Frank. “But that fellow was a most desperate-looking ruffian.”