l one on which he was
working contained nothing of value, Jet did not intend to submit to the
indignity.

He had drawn his feet up as far as possible, and was ready for the
struggle.

Striking the man a blow in the eye with his disengaged hand, he kicked
upward an instant later, hitting the tramp fairly on the back of the
head as he involuntarily sprang backwards from the effects of the pain.

This vigorous treatment sufficed to break the hold, and Jet sprang to
his feet just in time to avoid a vicious blow.

"Try to get the best of me will you?" the man cried, savagely, as he
picked up a heavy cane which lay near by, keeping his eye meanwhile on
the boy.

Jet knew he must do his best, or suffer for what had been done.

He could see nothing which would serve as a weapon, and was thinking it
might be best to make a break for freedom, when the man sprang upon him.

Luckily he succeeded in avoiding a blow from the cane, by seizing with
both hands the tramp's right arm, and then came a desperate struggle.

Not for a moment did he dare to release his hold lest the fellow should
be able to use his weapon, and in the meanwhile he was pummeled soundly.

The man's left hand was at liberty, and with it he showered blow after
blow on the boy's body.

Jet managed to screen his face by using the tramp's arm as a shield,
and, finding that he was getting the worst of it darted forward at the
same time he kicked with all his strength.

This sudden attack sent the man to the ground, and as he fell Jet
wrested the cane from his grasp.

"It's my turn now!" he cried, as the fellow scrambled to his feet in a
rage. "Make tracks out of this mighty fast or I'll break every bone in
your body!"

The man glared at him fiercely for an instant, and then, stepping back
a few paces, shouted loudly in a peculiar tone.

"Stop that!" and Jet ran forward with the stick uplifted. "Don't you
dare to bring your friends here."

"You spoke a leetle too late, sonny, for they're coming."

Jet glanced quickly down the track, where could be seen two others of
the same sort as his adversary, running at full speed.

"I reckon we won't have any trouble about huntin' for your license
now," the fellow said with a grin as he retreated to a safe distance.

Jet hesitated an instant.

He knew that it would be useless to make a stand-up fight against all
three, but yet at the same time flight was impossible, because of his
exhaustion, caused by th