BESSIE’S ISLAND. 89

it splashed into the river along side the boat,
and dashed the water all over Bessie.

“That is mean, George Cramer,” said Howard
Framingham; “mean to attack a boy when he
cannot defend himself. Fair play.”

George.—But he has no right to paint my
sister’s name on his ugly red boat.

Howard.—He has a right to call it Queen
Victoria, if he chooses.

George—He may call it “ Vie,” if he
chooses ; but he shan’t call it Ada.

Howard.—I thought this was a free coun-
try.

George.—It is; but that fellow has no right
to insult my sister.

Tom, meanwhile, had rowed out a little far
ther from the river’s bank, where the current
was stronger, and the difficulty of rowing
much greater. Howard shouted to him,

“Come up nearer to the bank, my brave
lad; he shan’t hurt you.”

Ada, by this time, had joined the boys.

‘“‘ Please, brother,” said she, ‘‘ do not trouble
those children; they are honest Bran Mixon’s
—Tom and Bessie.”