"I have a right to beat you," said Abner, doggedly. "Ain't you bound to me; tell me that?"

"I was," said Herbert, "and if you had treated me well, I would have stayed with you; but I don't mean to remain to be abused."

"You hear the lad's answer," said Ralph. "I like his spirit, and I'll stand by him. He won't return with you."

While this conversation had been going on, Abner had been slowly edging himself toward the spot upon which Ralph had thrown the pistol, which he had wrenched from him. While Ralph was speaking, he suddenly darted forward, seized the weapon, and, facing about, said, with malicious triumph, "Now, you're in my power, both of you. We'll see whether he'll go back with me or not."

As he spoke he pointed the pistol toward Ralph.

The latter laughed contemptuously.

This irritated Abner Holden.

"I will count ten," he said. "Unless the boy begins to come down before I stop, I fire at you. One--two----"

"Hold!" said Ralph, and, drawing his revolver from beneath his hunting- jacket, he pointed it at Abner. "Two can play at that game, Abner Holden. This revolver is fully loaded. It gives me six chances of hitting you. You have but one chance with your pistol. The moment your finger touches the trigger, your doom is sealed. I never miss my aim."

A sickly hue overspread the face of Abner Holden. He had counted on Ralph's being unarmed. He saw that he had made an important and most unlucky mistake.

"Put down your revolver," he said, in a very different tone. "I wasn't in earnest, you know."

"I know nothing of the kind," retorted Ralph. "You looked to me as if you were very much in earnest."

Still with his revolver he covered Abner.

"Put down your weapon," said Abner, nervously. "It might go off."

"Yes, it might," returned Ralph. "I will lower it, on one condition."

"What is that?"

"That you lay down your pistol on the ground."

Abner demurred, but finally felt compelled to do as he was commanded.

"That is well," said Ralph, quietly. "Now, I will take care that you are not tempted by it again."

He walked toward the pistol, lifted it, and, pointing it in the reverse direction, fired it off among the trees.

"So much for that," he said. "Now, Herbert, you may come down."

Herbert complied promptly. He felt the utmost confidence in the prowess and good faith of his new friend, and did not fear to descend, though his bitterest enemy awaited him beneath.

Meanwhile an idea struck Abner Holden. He saw that he was no match for Herbert as long as Ralph chose to befriend him. He resolved to enlist the latter on his side.

"Hark you, Ralph," he said, "come aside with me. I wish to speak to you a moment."

Ralph followed him a few paces in silence.

"Now what is it you have to say to me?" he demanded.

"About this boy," said Abner, insinuatingly. "He is bound to me."

"Well?"

"And the law gives me authority over him."

"Well?"

"I want him to go back with me."

"Well?"

"Will you promise not to interfere between us?"

"I can't promise that," said Ralph, briefly.

"Stay a moment," said Abner, seeing that he was on the point of leaving him; "of course, I am willing to make it worth your while. I'll give you--well, three dollars, to help me secure him, and carry him back to my house."

"What do you take me for?" asked Ralph, looking at the other, steadily.

"For a poor man," said Abner. "Think a moment. Three dollars will buy you provisions for a week. They couldn't be more easily earned. In fact, you needn't do anything. Only promise not to interfere between the boy and myself."

Ralph turned upon him scornfully.

"I have promised the boy my protection," he said, "and you would have me forfeit my word for a paltry three dollars?"

"I'll give you five," said Abner, supposing that the sum he had offered was not sufficient.

"Not for five dollars, nor five thousand," returned Ralph, shortly. "I thought you meant to insult me, but I see you only judge me by yourself.

The boy shall not return with you. Make up your mind to that."

"I can have you arrested," said Abner, angrily.

Ralph laughed.

"Let that comfort you for the loss of the boy," he said.

"I'll have the boy, too," muttered Abner, turning to leave them.

"Where are you going?" demanded Ralph.

"I am going home."

"Not yet."

"Why not?" demanded Abner, facing about.