ons!" said the tramp, throwing them down on the table.

"Now for the money!"

The tramp looked at George Melville. Melville still held the pistol in
his hand leveled at his breast. The thief was a large man, but he was
not a brave one. He cowered before the resolute glance of his small
opponent.

"Won't you interfere with me if I give back the money?" he asked.

"No."

"Will you let me go without firing at me?"

"Yes."

"Perhaps you won't keep your agreement," suggested the tramp, nervously.

"I am a man of my word," said Melville, calmly.

His calm, resolute tone, free from all excitement, impressed the tramp
with confidence. He drew the notes from his vest pocket, where he had
thrust them, and threw them on the table.

"Now, may I go?" he said.

In answer, George Melville, who stood between him and the door, drew
aside, still, however, holding the pistol in position, and the tramp
passed out, not sorry, it may be said, to get out of range of the
weapon.

They watched him striding through the yard, and when he was fairly gone
Mrs. Cole said:

"Oh, how can I thank you for saving me from this wretch?"

"I am glad to have been the instrument of deliverance," said Melville,
politely.

"It was fortunate you had the pistol with you, Mr. Melville," said
Herbert.

"Well, yes, perhaps it was," said Melville, smiling.

"Pray, put it up, Mr. Melville," said the farmer's wife, "it always
makes me nervous to see a loaded pistol."

Melville bowed, and put back the pistol in his pocket.

"As your unpleasant visitor has gone," he said, "I may as well relieve
your fears by saying that the pistol is not loaded."

"Not loaded!" exclaimed Herbert and Tom Tripp in concert.

"No; it has not been loaded to my knowledge for a year."

"Then how could you stand up against that man?" asked the farmer's wife,
in wonder.

"He thought it was loaded!" replied Melville, "and that answered the
purpose. I should be very reluctant to use a loaded pistol, for I have
a high idea of the sacredness of human life, but I have no objection to
playing upon the fears of a man like that."

Melville and Herbert remained at the farmhouse for half an hour, till
the return of the farmer, when they resumed their river trip. They
returned about noon. When they were walking through the main street,
Herbert saw the town constable approaching with the air of a man who had
business with him.

"Did you wish to speak to me, Mr. Bruce?" he as