You would n't dare to if Dan was round . '' `` I ai n't afraid of Dan ; he 's nothing but an old bully . Do n't believe but what he took Tom 's money , and you know it , and wo n't tell . Come , now ! '' `` He did n't , but , if he did , I would stand up for him , he has always been so good to me , '' said Nat , so earnestly that Dan forgot his spiders , and rose quickly to thank him , but Ned 's next words arrested him . `` I know Dan did it , and gave the money to you . Should n't wonder if he got his living picking pockets before he came here , for nobody knows any thing about him but you , '' said Ned , not believing his own words , but hoping to get the truth out of Nat by making him angry . He succeeded in a part of his ungenerous wish , for Nat cried out , fiercely , `` If you say that again I 'll go and tell Mr. Bhaer all about it . I do n't want to tell tales , but , by George ! I will , if you do n't let Dan alone . '' `` Then you 'll be a sneak , as well as a liar and a thief , '' began Ned , with a jeer , for Nat had borne insult to himself so meekly , the other did not believe he would dare to face the master just to stand up for Dan . What he might have added I can not tell , for the words were hardly out of his mouth when a long arm from behind took him by the collar , and , jerking him over the wall in a most promiscuous way , landed him with a splash in the middle of the brook . `` Say that again and I 'll duck you till you ca n't see ! '' cried Dan , looking like a modern Colossus of Rhodes as he stood , with a foot on either side of the narrow stream , glaring down at the discomfited youth in the water . `` I was only in fun , '' said Ned . `` You are a sneak yourself to badger Nat round the corner . Let me catch you at it again , and I 'll souse you in the river next time . Get up , and clear out ! '' thundered Dan , in a rage . Ned fled , dripping , and his impromptu sitz-bath evidently did him good , for he was very respectful to both the boys after that , and seemed to have left his curiosity in the brook .
As he vanished Dan jumped over the wall , and found XXXXX lying , as if quite worn out and bowed down with his troubles .
Bhaer Dan George Nat Ned Rhodes Tom jeer left spiders