monstration; but if he had had a twenty-four
pounder, loaded with grape, it would not have stopped me till the shot
struck me.

Tom slackened his pace and raised the gun to his shoulder, threatening
again to shoot me if I did not stop. The trick only gave me the
advantage, for I gained several rods while he was making the feint with
the gun. I reached the foot-bridge over the brook, and, profiting by my
former experience, I adopted the same course again. I had just time to
drag the plank over the stream when my pursuer reached the opposite
bank. I felt that I was safe now; and, out of breath with my exertions,
I did not hurry myself.

"Will you stop, or shall I send a bullet after you?" shouted Tom; and I
could easily imagine the chagrin with which he again found his progress
checked.

I made no reply, but continued on my way down the path. I did not lose
any time, for it was possible that he might, in his desperation, wade
across the stream, and follow up the pursuit. Some distance behind him,
I saw my uncle hastening to the spot with what speed he could command. I
was satisfied with myself. I had fought a hard battle with my enemy, but
I had won the victory.

A little way beyond the brook I came to the fence that divided my
uncle's estate from that of his nearest neighbor. I leaped over, and
continued my walk till I came to the house of Mr. Van Wort. He was a
farmer, and had two grown-up sons, one of whom kept a small flat-boat
for fishing and gunning purposes. I saw the owner of the boat hoeing in
the garden. Though I was hardly acquainted with him, I went to him and
asked if he would lend me his boat for half an hour. I found he was a
crabbed fellow, and was not disposed to oblige me. I told him that I was
in a great hurry, that my own skiff was broken, and if he would lend me
his I would give him a dollar for the use of her. The dollar opened his
eyes and his heart, if he had any. He consented to the bargain, and I
paid him in advance, telling him I would push the skiff ashore when I
was done with her, for I could not land in the Splash. He promised to be
on the lookout for her, brought the oars from the barn, and I pushed
off.

I had pulled but a short distance when I discovered Tom and my uncle
walking along the path by the side of the lake. They had crossed the
brook, Tom having probably waded over, and restored the plank for his
father to go over upon. I paid no attention to them, though Tom
repeatedly s