ken his door again. Where
did you get it?"

"It was passed on me by a man I was traveling with."

"How much other money have you got?" asked the tramp.

"Very little."

"Give it to me, whatever it is."

This was a little too much for Carl's patience.

"I have no money to spare," he said, shortly.

"Say that over again!" said the tramp, menacingly.

"If you don't understand me, I will. I have no money to spare."

"You'll spare it to me, I reckon."

"Look here," said Carl, slowly backing. "You've robbed me of ten
dollars. You'll have to be satisfied with that."

"It was no good. It might have sent me to prison. If I was nicely
dressed I might pass it, but when a chap like me offers a ten-dollar
bill it's sure to be looked at sharply. I haven't a cent, and I'll
trouble you to hand over all you've got."

"Why don't you work for a living? You are a strong, able-bodied man."

"You'll find I am if you give me any more of your palaver."

Carl saw that the time of negotiation was past, and that active
hostilities were about to commence. Accordingly he turned and ran, not
forward, but in the reverse direction, hoping in this way to meet with
Mr. Jennings.

"Ah, that's your game, is it?" growled the tramp. "You needn't expect to
escape, for I'll overhaul you in two minutes."

So Carl ran, and his rough acquaintance ran after him.

It could hardly be expected that a boy of sixteen, though stout and
strong, could get away from a tall, powerful man like the tramp.

Looking back over his shoulder, Carl saw that the tramp was but three
feet behind, and almost able to lay his hand upon his shoulder.

He dodged dexterously, and in trying to do the same the tramp nearly
fell to the ground. Naturally, this did not sweeten his temper.

"I'll half murder you when I get hold of you," he growled, in a tone
that bodied ill for Carl.

The latter began to pant, and felt that he could not hold out much
longer. Should he surrender at discretion?

"If some one would only come along," was his inward aspiration. "This
man will take my money and beat me, too."

As if in reply to his fervent prayer the small figure of Mr. Jennings
appeared suddenly, rounding a curve in the road.

"Save me, save me, Mr. Jennings!" cried Carl, running up to the little
man for protection.

"What is the matter? Who is this fellow?" asked Mr. Jennings, in a deep
voice for so small a man.

"That tramp wants to rob me."

"Don't trouble yourse