American library books Β» Fiction Β» Do and Dare β€” a Brave Boy's Fight for Fortune by Jr. Horatio Alger (good books for 8th graders .TXT) πŸ“•

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There is help at hand. This ruffian shall not harm you.”

It was the voice of George Melville. The tramp turned swiftly and stared in ill-disguised dismay at Melville and Herbert.

β€œWhat business is it of yours?” he demanded, in a blustering tone.

β€œWe make it our business to defend this lady from your thievish designs,” said Melville.

β€œYou!” exclaimed the tramp, contemptuously. β€œWhy, I could twist either of you round my little finger.”

β€œYou'd better not try it!” said Melville, not showing the least trepidation. β€œMrs. Cole, has this man anything of yours in his possession?”

β€œHe has my spoons and I have just handed him ten dollars.”

George Melville turned to the tramp.

β€œBe kind enough to lay the spoons on the table,” he said, β€œand give back the ten dollars Mrs. Cole handed you.”

β€œYou must think I'm a fool!” said the tramp.

β€œNo; but I think you are a prudent man. If you do as I say we will let you go; if not—”

β€œWell, if not?” blustered the tramp.

β€œIf not, you may regret it.”

All this time George Melville had spoken in his usual tone of voice, and the tramp was puzzled to know whether he had any weapon with him. For himself, he was unarmed, and this made him feel rather ill at ease, notwithstanding his superiority in physical strength. He was rather disposed to think that George Melville had a pistol, for he could not understand how otherwise he should dare to confront a man of twice his size and strength.

β€œI don't care for the spoons,” he said, β€œbut I will take the money.”

β€œNo, you will return the money,” said Melville, calmly.

β€œWho will make me?” demanded the tramp, defiantly.

β€œI will.”

β€œWe'll see about that!” said the tramp, desperately, and he sprang towards Melville, who had in the meantime entered the house and stood only six feet distant.

β€œStay where you are!” exclaimed Melville, resolutely, and he drew a pistol, which he leveled at his formidable antagonist.

β€œThat settles it, stranger!” said the tramp, β€œYou've got the advantage of me this time. Just wait till we meet again.”

β€œI am willing to wait for some time,” said Melville, shrugging his shoulders. β€œI have no desire to cultivate your acquaintance, my friend.”

β€œThere are the spoons!” said the tramp, throwing them down on the table.

β€œNow for the money!”

The tramp looked at George Melville. Melville still held the pistol in his hand leveled at his breast. The thief was a large man, but he was not a brave one. He cowered before the resolute glance of his small opponent.

β€œWon't you interfere with me if I give back the money?” he asked.

β€œNo.”

β€œWill you let me go without firing at me?”

β€œYes.”

β€œPerhaps you won't keep your agreement,” suggested the tramp, nervously.

β€œI am a man of my word,” said Melville, calmly.

His calm, resolute tone, free from all excitement, impressed the tramp with confidence. He drew the notes from his vest pocket, where he had thrust them, and threw them on the table.

β€œNow, may I go?” he said.

In answer, George Melville, who stood between him and the door, drew aside, still, however, holding the pistol in position, and the tramp passed out, not sorry, it may be said, to get out of range of the weapon.

They watched him striding through the yard, and when he was fairly gone Mrs. Cole said:

β€œOh, how can I thank you for saving me from this wretch?”

β€œI am glad to have been the instrument of deliverance,” said Melville, politely.

β€œIt was fortunate you had the pistol with you, Mr. Melville,” said Herbert.

β€œWell, yes, perhaps it was,” said Melville, smiling.

β€œPray, put it up, Mr. Melville,” said the farmer's wife, β€œit always makes me nervous to see a loaded pistol.”

Melville bowed, and put back the pistol in his pocket.

β€œAs your unpleasant visitor has gone,” he said, β€œI may as well relieve your fears by saying that the pistol is not loaded.”

β€œNot loaded!” exclaimed Herbert and Tom Tripp in concert.

β€œNo; it has not been loaded to my knowledge for a year.”

β€œThen how could you stand up against that man?” asked the farmer's wife, in wonder.

β€œHe thought it was loaded!” replied Melville, β€œand that answered the purpose. I should be very reluctant to use a loaded pistol, for I have a high idea of the sacredness of human life, but I have no objection to playing upon the fears of a man like that.”

Melville and Herbert remained at the farmhouse for half an hour, till the return of the farmer, when they resumed their river trip. They returned about noon. When they were walking through the main street, Herbert saw the town constable approaching with the air of a man who had business with him.

β€œDid you wish to speak to me, Mr. Bruce?” he asked.

β€œYes, Herbert. I have a warrant for your arrest.”

β€œFor my arrest!” exclaimed Herbert, in amazement. β€œWhat for?”

β€œOn complaint of Eben Graham, for abstracting postage stamps and money from the post office last evening.”





CHAPTER XI. TRIED FOR THEFT.

Herbert stared at the constable in blank amazement.

β€œI am charged with stealing stamps and money from the post office?” he said.

β€œYes.”

β€œWho makes the charge?” demanded Herbert, in great excitement.

β€œEben Graham.”

β€œI don't know what it means,” said our hero, turning to George Melville.

β€œIt means,” said Melville, β€œthat the fellow is envious of you, and angry because he cannot supersede you with me. He evidently wants to do you an injury.”

β€œIt must be so; but I did not imagine that

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