CHAPTER XIX
AN ERROR OF JUDGMENT
Had Jim McGovern taken another course when starting out on thewar-path, he would not have met such overwhelming disaster, for hewould have encountered Bob Budd returning from an experience hardlyless stirring than his own; but the two followed different routes anddid not see each other until they met in camp, after both had beenthrough their experience and the night was well advanced.
Reaching the highway, Dick mounted his bicycle and continued hisjourney homeward at an easy pace. There was a faint moon in the sky,and now and then the wind blew fitfully among the tree branches, buthe was in good spirits. The words of the physician concerning hisfather encouraged him greatly, and he was happy over the unexpectedmanner in which he had recovered his bicycle. Mr. Hunter had notifiedhim that day, that, on the first of the following month, his wageswould be increased, and that so long as he showed the same devotion tohis interests, he might count upon a yearly repetition of the favor.
"I'm luckier than I deserve," he reflected, as he skimmed over thehighway, "for I was able to attend school until I graduated, and Mr.Hunter, who was one of the trustees, told me that afternoon that hehad had his eye on me for several years and wanted me. Well, I havetried to do as father and mother taught me when I was a little fellow,and I've no doubt that that's the reason for it all. I can'tunderstand how any one can show the meanness of Bob Budd and thoseboys he has with him. There was no earthly excuse for stealing mybicycle--Hello! there's some one in the road yonder."
He was approaching a clump of trees where the shadows were so thickthat he could not see distinctly, but he was certain he observed afigure step back as if to avoid being noticed.
Dick gently applied the brake to his wheel and hesitated whether to goon or not. He recalled that he had heard rumors of robbery andattempts at burglary in the neighborhood within the past week. Indeed,there were signs discovered that very morning that proved an efforthad been made to pry open one of the shutters of Mr. Hunter's store;but the marauders were scared off by the dog that was kept on dutyevery night.
Suppose one of these criminals had located himself alongside the roadfor the purpose of robbing passers-by!
"He wouldn't get much from _me_" reflected Dick, who had lessthan a single dollar in change with him, "but, all the same, I don'tfancy being stopped by him. He might shoot me because of hisdisappointment. Maybe he thinks I am like some other clerks, who makea practice of robbing their employers."
By this time the bicycle was hardly moving, the headway being justsufficient to enable him to keep his poise. He peered intentlyforward, ready to turn and speed down the road on the first sign ofdanger; but if a person was skulking among the trees, he took goodcare to keep out of sight, and whether or not Dick was mistaken couldbe learned only by going forward.
He was thinking fast. If he wished to reach home, where his parentswere expecting him, this was the only road, unless he went back totown and made a circuit of eight or ten miles, a proceeding not to bethought of when he was already within a half-mile of his own door.
True, he might adopt another method. He could return until beyondsight of the rogue, whoever he was, leave his bicycle at the roadside,and then cut across lots on foot.
But Dick was a plucky youth, and could not bear the thought of fleeingfrom danger whose nature he did not understand.
"No, I'll go ahead," he muttered, compressing his lips, as he removedthe brake and began gradually increasing his speed. "If he stops me,why, there'll be a fight, that's all!"
His plan was to "put on all steam" and dash through the gloomy space,which was only a few rods in extent. By doing so he counted uponsurprising any enemy that might be lurking there and getting beyondhis reach before he could interpose.
There was but one difficulty in the way. He had already approached sonear the clump of trees that he could not well obtain the necessaryspeed. But he could try, and try he did.
The muscular legs bore down hard on the pedals, and the big wheelbegan increasing its swift revolutions, but the pace was hardlyone-half what it would have been had he possessed a few more rods inwhich to set things humming.
Dick Halliard had good cause for his misgivings. There was anindividual among the shadow of the trees, waiting, like a spider, fora victim to come within his net.
At the moment of gliding into the shadow the youth saw him. He wasstanding in the middle of the road, directly in his path.
"Out of the way, or I'll run you down!" shouted Dick, aimingapparently at him, but making a sharp turn to the left.
"Try it, if you dare!" called the stranger in a gruff voice.
"What do you want?" demanded Dick, bending all his efforts to the taskof flanking the fellow.
"I want _you_!" was the startling reply; "get down off of thatwheel before I fetch you down!"
Whoever the fellow was he kept in Dick's path so persistently, thatdespite all he could do he could not prevent a collision. The bicyclefell with a resounding bang on its side, and the rider was compelledto make a dexterous leap to save himself from going down with it.
One of the most noticeable traits about the sinewy Dick was hisquickness of resource and presence of mind. While he suspected theidentity of the party who had thus stopped him, he was in doubt untilthe last words were spoken. Then the young man in his excitementforgot to disguise his tones. It was Bob Budd, who had taken thisoccasion to carry out the threat he had made so often in the presenceof others.
Dick could not believe the bully meant to use any weapon, but intendedsimply to chastise him. He meant to give the boy an unmercifulbeating.
It was this certainty that inspired Dick to assail him with all theenergy at his command.
The instant he was freed from his wheel, and, without uttering thefirst word of warning, Dick let fly with both fists, in such sharp andquick succession that the dazed bully went over on his back, as ifsmitten by the hoof of a mule.
"I know you, Bob Budd!" said the younger youth, whose anger was at ahigh point, "and you have been threatening me a long time; now we'llsettle the business for good."
"I aint Bob Budd, either," replied that worthy, climbing to his feet.Then seeing the absurdity of the situation, he added, desperately:
"Yes, I am Bob Budd, and I have a big account to square with you."
"This is the time," said Dick, who, impatient at his slowness, startedto assail him the moment he got on his feet.
"Hold on," protested Bob, "can't you wait till a fellow is up? Whydon't you fight fair?"
"I'm holding on," returned Dick, edging round into the moonlight wherehe could observe every movement of his antagonist; "but I'm tired ofwaiting for you."
"I'm coming; you needn't worry."
But the vigorous reception of the younger lad had taught the bully tobe careful. While he was as confident as the other Piketon Ranger ofhis ability to "do him up," he saw the need of going about itcarefully. He threw out his arms in the most approved style, and, asDick slowly retreated a few steps, followed under the belief that hewas becoming timid and that the blows struck a moment before were of achance nature.
But the younger now had the elder in the moonlight, where he could seeevery movement distinctly. He bounded at Bob again with such fiercequickness that the big fellow was once more prostrate ere he couldstrike or parry a blow.
"I guess that's enough," said Dick, "but if you are not satisfied I'llwait."
"I'm not through with you yet," replied Bob, who was now in a whiteheat of anger; so much so indeed that he hastily drew the loadedrevolver that he carried at all times. He had lost his self-commandand was determined to punish Dick Halliard, who had turned the tablesupon him with such vengeance.