They may have
been tampered with, but not by Hodge. I know Hodge! He wouldn't do such
a thing."
"I reckon that he is none too good for that, if he had a chance!"
"Hodge is my friend."
"I don't care if he is your friend a dozen times over. That might have
killed me, or crippled me for life!"
"If those shells were tampered with, it was done for my benefit, Badger,
and not for yours. Hodge wouldn't put in shells that would endanger me.
I gave you those shells out of my own box."
"And Hodge was talking to you, and knew what you meant to do. He could
have juggled a fixed-up shell on you."
"We won't talk about it!" said Merriwell, turning away.
"I've a right to think what I please," Badger grumbled, following him.
"He thinks you can beat me shooting. He was afraid I would. I can beat
you, and I'd like to do it, to spite Bart Hodge."
"I don't think you are in any condition to do more shooting."
"Oh, I'm all right!" Badger rather snappishly declared, his heart hot
against Hodge. "Don't let anything of that kind worry you, Merriwell. I
want to shoot at ten double rises against you--ten double rises at
unknown angles. You've declared that you haven't tried to shoot. I dare
you to give me this trial. The numbness is going out of my arm, and it
will soon be all right.
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