."

When Ernest found the roll of coins, and taking them out put them in his
pocket, he was not disappointed, for he knew what to expect, but Tom Burns
was in dismay.

"Only a hundred dollars!" he thought. "What's a hundred dollars? The old
man ought to be ashamed of himself!"

However, one thing was certain. A hundred dollars was better than nothing.
It would take him to Chicago and enable him to live in comfort for a
while. Besides, he might multiply it many times at the gaming table, for
Tom Burns had been a gambler in his day. He certainly did not propose to
disdain the sum which fortune had placed in his way because it was so
small.

Ernest put the gold pieces in his pocket and turned to go back to the
cabin, when a voice reached him.

"Look here, boy, I'll trouble you to hand over that money!"

CHAPTER VI

A FRIEND IN NEED

Ernest turned and regarded the tramp in amazement.

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"I want that money you just dug up," replied Tom Burns boldly.

Instantly Ernest comprehended his danger. He was a stout boy, but the
tramp was a large man, weighing probably fifty pounds more than himself.
The boy felt that in strength he was no match for the thief who confronted
him.

Yet he could not bear the thought of allowing himself to be robbed. Left
penniless, how could he carry out the plans which he had in view? He tried
to gain time.

"Do you want to rob me?" he asked.

"I have just as much right to that money as you," said the tramp.

"How do you make that out?"

"The man who put it there owed me money."

"Do you think I am a fool, to believe that ridiculous story?"

"You'd better be careful how you talk!" said Burns, menacingly.

"Then all I can say is that you have told a falsehood. You are the man, I
suppose, who entered our cabin at night and stole money out of a trunk."

"I don't know anything about your trunk!" said Burns. "But I have no time
to talk; I want that money!"

Ernest looked about him, hoping to see some one to whom he could appeal
for help, but no one appeared in sight. Next he looked at the tramp, to
note if he were armed. To his relief, Burns did not appear to have any
weapon with him.

"I won't give up the money to a thief!" he said boldly.

As he spoke he turned and ran as fast as he was able.

Winged with fear of losing his gold, Ernest flew rather than ran, not
heeding the direction he was taking. The tramp accepted the challenge and