e was a stout boy, but the
tramp was a large man, weighing probably fifty pounds more than
himself. Moreover, he looked desperate and reckless. The boy felt that
in strength he was no match for the thief who confronted him.

Yet he could not bear the thought of allowing himself to be robbed.
Left penniless, how could he carry out the plans which he had in view?
He tried to gain time.

"Do you want to rob me?" he asked.

"I have just as much right to that money as you," said the tramp.

"How do you make that out?"

"The man who put it there owed me money."

"Do you think I am a fool to believe that ridiculous story?"

"You'd better be careful how you talk," said Burns menacingly. "What I
say I mean."

"Then all I can say is that you have told a falsehood. You are the
man, I suppose, who entered our cabin at night and stole money out of
a trunk."

"I don't know anything about your trunk," said Burns mendaciously.
"But I have no time to talk--I want that money."

Ernest looked about him, hoping to see some one to whom he could
appeal for help, but no one appeared in sight. Next he looked at the
tramp, to note if he were armed. To his relief Burns did not appear to
have any weapon with him. Rapidly he determined not to give up the
money without a struggle.

"I won't give up the money to a thief," he said boldly.

As he spoke he turned and ran as fast as he was able.

Tom Burns uttered an execration and prepared to pursue him.

Winged with fear of losing his gold, Ernest flew rather than ran, not
heeding the direction he was taking. The tramp accepted the challenge
and put forth his utmost speed in the hope of overtaking him.

"You'll pay for this, boy," he growled. "Just let me catch you."

But Ernest did not mean to be caught. Being a fast runner for a boy of
his size, he bade fair to out-distance his pursuer. But directly in
his path was an excavation of considerable size and depth. Ernest
paused on the brink to consider whether to descend the sloping sides
or to go round it. The delay was fatal. The tramp saw his advantage,
and, pushing forward, seized him by the collar.

"I've caught you!" he cried, triumphantly. "Now give me the money."

There was a brief struggle, but a boy, even a strong boy, was no match
for a man taller and heavier than himself. The gold pieces were
snatched from him, and the tramp, releasing his hold, was about to
make off in triumph when he found himself seized in turn.

"