r so
much.'

Dick stiffened himself from head to foot. What was that Chippy had
worked in among his sobs and moans? B.P.--the motto of their
order--'Be Prepared.' Dick held himself tense as a bowstring, ready
for anything.

'The one wi' the rhino ain't in no 'urry to fork over, Sam,' said the
elder tramp. 'Ye'll ha' to go through 'im, while I see wot's in these
'ere bags.'

CHAPTER XXXVI

CHECKMATE

The haversacks were behind him on the bank of the brook. Sam, for his
part, turned upon Dick with a ferocious oath, and a fresh demand for
the money. Of the whining, puling, weeping Raven they took no notice
whatever. No notice! Ah, ha, Messrs. Long Legs and Fiery Nose, you
are making the mistake of a lifetime.

No sooner was their attention drawn from him than the Raven made his
leap, swift and silent as a charging panther. He darted upon the stout
tramp, whose back was towards him, as its owner bent over the
haversacks. Chippy placed both hands against a certain portion of the
tramp's person which afforded him an excellent purchase, and gave a
tremendous shove. Fiery Nose stumbled forward, caught his feet in the
haversacks, grabbed wildly in the air to save himself, found nothing to
fill his clutch, and pitched head first over the edge of the bank into
the deep, slow brook. Crash! Splash! he went into the pool, and the
water leapt like a fountain under his terrific plunge. But the Raven
did not stay to observe the success of his manoeuvre. Quick as a trout
in a stream he was off at full speed, but he had the haversacks tucked
safely in his arms.

Round whirled the younger tramp in time to see his comrade hit the
water. He swung up his stick for a blow at the nimble gliding Raven,
but as he sprang at the scout, Dick thrust his staff between the long
legs, tripped him up, and sent him sprawling with his face in the hot,
smouldering ashes. Chippy was already racing for the road, and Dick
followed at top speed.

In a moment the tramp was on his feet, and dashing the wood ashes out
of his eyes and hair. Then he caught up the stick which had flown from
his hand and pursued the fugitives, a wild medley of execrations
pouring from his lips. In the pool Fiery Nose wallowed and blew like a
grampus, and howled for help.

Dick looked back and saw the long-legged tramp covering the ground at a
tremendous pace. He was a big, powerful fellow, and was armed with an
ugly club. The scouts were not ou