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
put forth his utmost speed in the hope of overtaking him.
"You'll pay for this, boy!" he growled.
But Ernest did not mean to be caught. Being a fast runner for a boy of his
size, he bade fair to outdistance his pursuer. But directly in his path
was an excavation of considerable size and depth. Ernest paused on the
brink to consider whether to descend the sloping sides or to go round it.
The delay was fatal. The tramp saw his advantage, and pushing forward
seized him by the collar.
"I've caught you!" he cried triumphantly. "Now give me the money!"
There was a brief struggle, but a boy, even a strong boy, was no match for
a man taller and heavier than himself. The gold pieces were snatched from
him, and the tramp, releasing his hold, was about to make off in triumph
when he found himself seized in turn.
"Why, you contemptible thief!" exclaimed Luke Robbins--for it was he whose
opportune coming had saved Ernest from being plundered. "Are you trying to
rob the boy?"
He seized the tramp by the collar, forced him to give up the gold he had
just snatched from Ernest and flung him on his back.
The tramp's surprise deepened to dismay when, looking up, he saw the
stalwart hunter with stern face looking down upon him.
"It was my money," he whined.
"Your money, you owdacious liar! Don't tell me that or I'll treat you
worse!"
"But it was. I had hidden it under a tree. I came along just as the boy
dug it up. I told him to give it to me, for it was mine, but he wouldn't,
and then I chased him."
"What's the truth of the matter, Ernest?" asked Luke.
"It was money that Peter Brant had hidden away. He told me on his
death-bed where to look for it."
"I thought it was Peter's."
"I had just dug it up and put it in my pocket when this man came along. He
ordered me to give it to him."
"Did he say he hid it there?"
"No. He said that Peter owed him money, and he wanted it."
"You appear to be a very ingenious liar," remarked Luke, turning to the
tramp. "Which of these stories do you want me to believe?"
"I hid it there!" said the tramp doggedly.
"Then why did you tell the boy that Peter owed you money?"
"Because I didn't think he would believe that I hid it."
"You are right there. He don't believe it, nor do I. One thing more--were
you the man that broke into his cabin and stole two gold pieces from his
trunk?"
"No. I don't know anything about it."
"Of course you would deny it. All the same I have no doubt that you were
the man."
"If I had done it he would have seen me."
"That won't go down. He was asleep. Ernest, what shall I do with this
fellow? Shall I shoot him?" and Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver, which
he handled in a significant way.
"Don't shoot! Spare my life, Mr. Robbins!" cried the tramp in great
alarm.
"Humph! I don't see the good. Your life is of no value to the world."
"Let him go, Luke," said Ernest, "but tell him to clear out of this
neighborhood."
"It is treating him too well. Still, I will do as you say. Hark, you
fellow, what is your name?"
"Tom Burns."
"You are a disgrace to the name of Burns. If I spare your life will you
leave this neighborhood and never come back?"
"Yes--yes!" answered the tramp earnestly.
"You'd better keep that promise. If I ever catch sight of you again I'll
shoot without asking you any questions! Now get!"
Tom Burns got up and started away with celerity. He thought it wise to put
as great a distance as possible between himself and the tall and stalwart
hunter.
"I'll scare him a little," said Luke.
He fired after the fugitive, taking care not to hit him, however. Tom
Burns heard the bullet whistling by his head, and with a cry of terror
increased his speed till he reached a place where he felt secure.
"That is a terrible man!" he panted. "He'd as soon take my life as not. I
won't get in his way again if I can help it."
"Well, Ernest, where do you want to go? What are your plans?"
"I don't know," answered Ernest gravely. "I am not sure that I have any
plans. I feel upset completely."
"Sit down here and I'll talk to you."
The two sat down together.
"Now, how much money have you got?"
"A hundred dollars."
"It isn't much. Is that all that your uncle left?"
"I think so. He said nothing about having more."
"It isn't much to begin the world with. I wish for your sake, boy, that I
had some to give you, but I never knew how to get together money."
"I guess it will do, Luke. I have health and strength. I think I can make
my way."
"But you have no trade."
"Have you?"
"No, Ernest. You've got me there. I am only a hunter, but I don't make
much of a living. I don't recommend you to follow in my steps."
"One thing is certain, Luke. I must get away from here. There is nothing I
can do in Oak Forks."
"Where do you want to go, lad?"
"I don't know. I might go eastward to Chicago or New York, or I might go
West to California. Have you ever been to either place, Luke?"
"No, lad, but if I had my choice I'd go westward. I've heard fine stories
of California. I think I should like to see that land."
"Why don't you go?"
"Stop a minute! Let me think!"
The hunter assumed a thoughtful look. He remained silent for five minutes.
Then he said, as if to himself: "Why not?"
Ernest still kept silence, but his eyes were fixed upon the face of the
hunter.
Finally Luke looked up.
"How do you want to go, lad?" he asked. "Do you want to go over the
railroad, or are you in for a tramp over the mountains and plains?"
"That depends on whether I am to go alone or not. If I go alone I shall
prefer to go by rail."
"Are you in for a long tramp with me?" asked Luke, his face glowing with
new-born enthusiasm.
"I will go anywhere with you, Luke."
"Then it is agreed. We will start to-morrow."