oing to
have any supper, either. If you're very hungry, though, and will go down
on your knees and beg my pardon, I'll get you something to eat. What do
you say?"

"I won't do what you say," said Bill slowly. "I don't care enough for
supper to do that."

"You don't?" exclaimed Andrew angrily. "So you're stubborn, are you?
Anyhow, you can't say I haven't given you a chance."

"You're very kind!" said the bound boy sarcastically, in spite of his
gentleness.

"Of course I am," blustered Andrew Jackson. "Most boys wouldn't be,
after the way you treated me."

"You want the satisfaction of having me beg your pardon," said Bill,
looking full in the face of the petty despot.

"Yes, I do; and I mean to have it."

"You can, upon one condition."

"What's that?" asked Andrew Jackson, his curiosity overcoming his
indignation.

"If you'll beg my pardon for striking me with your whip, I'll beg yours
for hitting you with the hoe."

Andrew fairly gasped for breath at this daring proposal, and he looked
for a moment as if he were in danger of having a stroke of apoplexy.

"You saucy beggar!" he ejaculated. "How dare you talk to me in that
impertinent way? I'll tell father to give you the worst flogging ever
you had to-night--see if I don't!"

And the boy left to report Bill's new insolence to his mother.

Bill crept up to bed a little earlier than usual. He knew that Mr.
Badger would not ascend to his humble room to administer the threatened
punishment till nine o'clock or later.

Through a refinement of cruelty that humane gentleman chose to let his
intended victim lie in an anxious anticipation of the flogging, thus
making it assume greater terror.

In fact, he probably would not return from the village till nine o'clock
or later, and this was an additional reason why he put it off.

His absence made it easier for Bill to carry out the plan which had been
formed for him by his trusty friend, Dick Schmidt, and escape from the
house.

He accomplished his escape unnoticed about half-past eight o'clock.

Dick was waiting for him behind the barn. He had been a little afraid
that Bill would repent the promise he had made and back out. When he saw
him he welcomed him gladly.

"I was afraid you wouldn't dare to come, Bill," he said.

"I shan't be any worse off," said the bound boy. "Mr. Badger was going
to give me a flogging, anyway, and he can't do any more than that as it
is."

"What an old brute he is!" exclaime