"We heard about that before," said Kirby. "Is it true or just one of your false alarms?"
"That's no false alarm," defended Ben, vigorously. "It's straight. A bunch from that prep. school out Scarsdale way, with this Rex Kingdon at their head, got permission to come here, and the company wouldn't allow two camps on Storm Island."
"What prep. school's that?" demanded Kirby.
It was Horace Pence that made answer, to the surprise of his companions. "Walcott Hall," he said briefly.
"I heard about this crowd coming here, in town before we started," confessed the leader of the camping party.
"Say! An' you never told us!" Kirby complained.
"Because that Rex Kingdon and his crew were coming is why I suggested Storm Island. Say, Kirby! don't you remember that slim, slick, blond chap who played with the Ridgewood High only a couple of years ago when they beat our nine so badly? I haven't forgotten him, if you fellows have. That's Rex Kingdon, and I've had it in for him ever since they gave us such a walloping. Kingdon and I had words after the game, too--some!"
"Why didn't you lick him then, and get it over with?" scoffed Ben Comas.
"He got out o' town with his crowd, that's why," Pence responded rather more earnestly than was his wont.
"And did Kingdon go to this Walcott Hall School?" asked Kirby.
Horace nodded. He was not much of a talker and, if he could convey his meaning without speech, he seldom troubled to open his lips. He felt as though he had been actually garrulous in speaking of Rex Kingdon.
"I know who you mean," Pudge said; "he's catching for the Walcott nine. And he's a bear at football, too. Played on the Hall 'leven against Winchester last fall I tell you. And, say, Horrors!"
The tall youth looked at him questioningly, and the fat boy continued:
"You don't want to be too sure of that blond fellow. He's a fighter. He can use his fists."
"So can I," said Pence succinctly. "If he and his crowd land here and make camp, maybe we'll find out who's who, eh?" His lip lifted again with a sneering smile.
"Hoh!" ejaculated young MacComber. "You don't suppose those prep. school fellers would stand for us being here, too, do you?"
"Why, if they've got a permit, and know that they're responsible for what's done over here----"