"Why, ther'll be a badger fight with dogs, of course. Don't ye know, Dick, that a badger, when his dander's fairly riz, can fight like a whole sackful of wild cats? It's rare sport, badger-baitin', I can tell ye, an' jest the real thing to try the stuff young dogs is made of." "Better'n rats?" asked Dick, in turn growing excited at the vista of unexpected possibilities opening out before him. "Rats ain't in it with badgers," replied Billy, disdainfully. "Then I 'spect Grizzly Jim's gone down town to hunt up some dogs," suggested Dick. "Certain sure." "Wal, hadn't you best come to our place right now, an' have a good look at the critter 'fore the crowd begins to roll up?" "I guess there's some sense in that. Let's skoot along, Dick." So the two boys set off at a quick pace towards the hotel. And as they walked Dick described the badger's points. "He's got short stumpy legs, Billy, but terrible claws. Rip a dog open like winkin'." "And pooty sharp teeth too, I reckon?" "I should jest say. Wouldn't like 'm try 'em in my leg." "See you've got 'm in the old dog-kennel," remarked Billy, as they came in sight of the stable yard. "It's a strong chain that, you know," replied Dick, evasively. "Bruno, the old boarhound that died, couldn't break it." "Guess the chain'll hold the badger all right. But I can't see nothink of 'm in that there dog-hutch. I'll want ter have 'm out, Dick, in the open." "You'd best take care, Billy," cried Dick, as his companion laid hold of the chain. "Remember his claws." "Oh! I'm not 'feard, you bet," replied Billy, loftily. "It needs somethin' more'n a badger to skeer me. Besides, he can't scratch or bite much through my leggin's." "Mind, Billy," continued Dick, with an intensely anxious look on his face. "I've warned ye. Don't ye come a hollerin' an' a blamin' me, if he takes a bit out of yer leg." "Poof! You keep back if ye'r fright'ned. Let me alone. I'll soon yank 'm inter daylight." And Billy made ready to haul at the chain. "Come out o' that, ye brute," he cried. "Yo! ho! out ye come!" And he pulled with all his might. There was a fine old clatter as the iron kettle came clinkety-clink-clank on to the cobble stones; and Dick just lay down on the ground, fairly doubled up with laughing. "Look out, Billy," he yelled amidst his convulsions of glee, "look out. That badger'll bite ye through yer leggin's." For a minute Billy was speechless. He felt so sick and faint-hearted that ordinary common-place language would have been an insult to his feelings. "You tarnation fraud!" he at last managed to gasp, as he glanced from the battered kettle at his feet towards his spluttering friend.