this but increased the anxiety of the boys though they held boldly on their way the red haired boy detached himself from the group and stepped before them their path they to go around him but he stretched out his yer here he why don t yer stay where yer b long brick top and we re just going home said mildly brick looked at joe yer got under yer arm he demanded joe contained himself and took no heed of him come on he said to and at the same time starting to brush past the gang leader but with a quick blow brick struck him in the face and with equal quickness snatched the bundle of from under his arm joe uttered an inarticulate cry of rage and all caution flung to the winds sprang at his this was evidently a surprise to the gang leader who expected least of all to be attacked in his own territory he retreated backward still clutching the and divided between desire to fight and desire to retain his capture the latter desire him and he turned and fled swiftly down the narrow side street into a of streets the of the and joe knew that he was plunging into the wilderness of the enemy s country but his sense of both property and pride had been offended and he took up the pursuit hot footed and followed after though he them and behind came the three other members of the gang a whistling call while they ran which was evidently intended for the of the rest of the band as the chase proceeded these were answered from many different directions and soon a score of dark figures were at the heels of and who in turn were straining every muscle to keep the footed joe in sight brick darted into a vacant lot for a slip as such things are called which are passages through fences and over sheds and houses and around dark holes and corners where the must go more care brick top and fully and where the chances are many that he will soon lose the track but joe caught brick before he could attain his end and together they rolled over and over in the dirt locked in each other s arms by the time and and the gang had come up they were on their feet facing each other d ye want eh the red headed gang leader was saying in a tone d ye want that s i know i want my joe answered brick s eyes sparkled at the intelligence were something he stood in need of himself then you ve got to fight fer em he announced why should i fight for them joe demanded indignantly they re mine which went to show how ignorant he was of the ideas of and property rights which obtained among the people of the pit the of the a chorus of and went up from the gang which clustered behind its leader like a pack of wolves why should i fight for them joe i say so replied an i say goes understand but joe did not understand he refused to understand that brick s word was law in san or any part of san his love of honesty and right dealing was offended and all his fighting blood was up you give those to me right here and now he threatened reaching out his hand for them but jerked them away d ye know who i am he demanded i m brick an i don t low no one to talk to me in that tone of voice better leave him alone whispered in joe s ear what are a few leave him alone and let s get out of this brick top and they re my joe said slowly in a dogged manner they re my and i m going to have them you can t fight the crowd interfered and if you do get the best of him they all pile on you the gang observing this whispered and it for on the part of joe set up its wolf like howling again afraid afraid the young and he s too he is he spoil his nice clean shirt and then what say shut up their leader snapped and the noise died away will you give me those joe demanded advancing will you fight for em was s counter demand yes joe answered fight fight the gang began to howl again the of the and it s me that see fair play said a man s heavy voice all eyes were instantly turned upon the man who had approached unseen and made this announcement by the electric light shining brightly on them from the corner they made him out to be a big muscular fellow clad in a working man s garments his feet were in heavy a narrow of black leather held his about his waist and a black and greasy cap was on his head his face was with coal dust and a coarse blue shirt open at the neck revealed a wide throat and massive chest an who re you angry at the interruption none of yer business the retorted but if it do you any good i m a on the china and as i said i m goin to see fair play that s my business your business is to give fair play so pitch in and don t be all night about it brick top and the three boys were as pleased by the appearance of the as and his followers were displeased they conferred together for several minutes when deposited the bundle of in the arms of one of his gang and stepped forward come on then he said at the same time pulling off his coat joe handed his to and sprang toward brick they put up their fists and faced each other almost instantly 