Billy Bunter's Benefit By Frank Richards - Friardale

Billy Bunter’s Benefit
By Frank Richards
giving you a lift to a pub, you fat frabjous footling frump. But if you want
to get out, go ahead.”
“Nobody’s stopping you!” grinned Bob Cherry.
“Ha, ha, ha!”
Billy Bunter gave the chums of the Remove a glare that might have
cracked his spectacles. The boat pulled on, and the “Three Fishers,” and
the greasy gentleman in the gateway, dropped astern. Evidently they were
not going to land him there, for an interview with Mr. Banks about a
horse! And the fat Owl certainly did not feel like getting out—with the
boat in the middle of the river!
Five fellows smiled, as the boat pulled on to Popper’s Island. Bunter sat
and glared. Smithy had failed him: and it was clear that he was going to
get no help from the Famous Five in his new career as a bold bad
sportsman. It really began to look as if Bunter would never be “on,” and
that Spanker would romp home regardless of him.
Having circumnavigated Popper’s Island, Harry Wharton and Co. pulled
back down the current. The “Three Fishers” came in sight again, and
Bunter’s eyes and spectacles turned in that direction. Mr. Banks had
disappeared from the gateway: but the gate stood wide open, and the fat
Owl gave it a longing blink.
“I say, you fellows—.”
“Fathead!”
“Will you put me ashore, you beasts—I mean, dear old chaps———?”
“Ha, ha, ha!”
“I’ve got to get on, you know,” urged Bunter. “If I don’t back Spanker
today, it’s too late! I’ve simply got to get ‘on.’ ”
“Chap can’t get on by backing geegees, old fat man,” said Bob Cherry,
shaking his head. “That isn’t the way to get on.”
“Ha, ha, ha!”
“You silly ass,” howled Bunter. I mean I’ve got to get ‘on’—Look here, if
I’m not ‘on’ in time, I shan’t win anything on Spanker.”
“You wouldn’t anyhow—that’s all right.”
“It’s a sure snip!” groaned Bunter. “I say, old chaps —dear old fellows—do
pull in and let a fellow step ashore—You rotters, will you pull in?—I say,
dear old fellows—.”
“Ha, ha, ha!”
“Beasts!” roared Bunter.
The “Three Fishers” disappeared astern once more, as the boat pulled on.
When they landed at the actual boathouse, there was just time to put up
the boat, and cut in for calling-over. Billy Bunter rolled in, with deep
feelings. He had a sure snip—he knew the horse that was going to romp
Page 132 of 161