pon them. In vain Harry urged Ben to
increase his speed; his progress was very slow, and it was soon
apparent to Harry that they were wasting their breath in running when
they would need it for the fight.

"Now, Ben, we can easily whip this man, and save ourselves. Be a man,
and let us stand by each other to the last."

Ben made no reply; but when Harry stopped, he did the same.

"Keep off! or we will knock your brains out," cried Harry, placing
himself in the attitude of defense.

But the man took no notice of this piece of bravado; and as he
approached Harry leveled a blow at his head. The man warded it off,
and sprang forward to grasp the little rebel.

"Hit him, Ben!" shouted Harry, as he dodged the swoop of his
assailant.

To his intense indignation and disgust, Ben, instead of seconding his
assault, dropped his club and fled. He seemed to run a good deal
faster than he had run before that day; but Harry did not give up the
point. The man pressed him closely, and he defended himself with a
skill and vigor worthy a better cause. But it was of no use; or, if it
was, it only gave Ben more time to effect his escape.

The unequal contest, however, soon terminated in the capture of our
resolute hero, and the man tied his hands behind his back; but he did
not dare to leave the young lion to go in pursuit of his less
unfortunate, but more guilty, confederate.

"There, Master Harry West, I think you have got into a tight place
now," said his captor, whose name was Nathan Leman, brother of the
person to whom the boat belonged. "We will soon put you in a place
where you won't burn any more barns."

Harry was confounded at this charge, and promptly and indignantly
denied it. He had not considered the possibility of being accused of
such a crime, and it seemed to put a new aspect upon his case.

"You did not set fire to Squire Walker's barn last night?" replied
Leman, incredulously.

"No, I did not."

"Perhaps you can make the squire believe it," sneered his captor.

"I didn't do it."

"Didn't steal my brother's boat, either, did you?"

"_I_ didn't."

"Who did?"

Harry thought a moment. After the mean trick which Ben Smart had
served him, he did not feel very kindly towards him, but he was not
yet prepared to betray him.

"I didn't," was his reply.

Nathan Leman then conducted his prisoner to the river's side. By this
time the other pursuer, who had been obliged to ascend the river for a
quarter of a