Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03
CHAPTER I.
A BAD CROWD.
TAKE that, smartyl"
Il "And that!"

ctement-a quiet village street and meaniy-
clad but bright-faced boy of sixteen sur
rounded by several other boys, whose actions
plainly showed that a quarrel was IN p'o
gress.
The single adversary of combined numbers
was endowed with more than Ordinary coui-
age and strength; for, backed up against tne
brick wall of garden, box of carpenters
tools at his feet, he had for some minutes
kent at bay and beaten back his enemies.
they had struck him two stingng 6ioTHs, tH,
but he repaid them with interest ana th's
had excited the ire of his assailants airesn;
Stand backi" he cried, at last, Tor the
first time seeking weapon Tor his deiehse
other than his sinewy fists.
His tones were stern and resoiute- strange
1y so for a boy-and he made movement
toward his basket and grasped. hammer,
"In meet any of you in a fair fight, he
cried. with flashing eyes, hist to hst' put
when It comes to throwing rocks ga ana tl+ using
The group of five, most OF whom were
older than their cornered victim, quailed Tor
a moment at his vigorous words and action.
They felt that in attacking the qulet, un-
they had aroused spirit they dld not creot
10 Morris with possessing. nj,
He was poor ifriendless, a stranger. That
was enough reason for boys OF their canore
to seek to- annoy him.
He had detected one of their number rob
bing his employers pile of lathss, and poles
the previous day, and had compelled the boy
to give up the booty. ,
That was the motive of the present assault;
Nat Davis, who gloried in being termed
the toughest boy in Newton" had led the
attack, and he alone stood ms ground as 20
raised the hammer menacingy
bovs.S ST spoke Nat, in that sidelipped growl
that is affected as clever by practieed hood
lums of the city.
and began crcling around his intended vle-
tim his tactics watched ntently by his ad-
miring friends.
of the glory of leadership, and making "a
brilliant feint to get the advantage OF 10
Norris.
He made a sudden dive for Jo, who pre-
pared to meet him.
just then Nat winked, and, at the signal,
one of the other boys ran toward Jo. lie
half turned to meet his second assailant.
Now was Mats opportunity. lie sprang
forward. :,
In another moment 10 Morris was on his
back the hammer torn from his hand; Nat
Davis was sitting astride of him, pummehng
him vigorously and the other boys were IN IN
and scattering its contents far and wide.
Alone, 10 Morris was more than match
for Nat Davis, alert and active as was Nat,
but with two others fastening to his as
sistance, every time 10 struggled to, release
himself. Nat was victor of the field.
Even as it was, 10 gave him severe tus-
sle, and the tables might have been turned
despite overwhelming odds, had not sud
den and unexpected diversion cut short the
melee. and put JOS adversaries to fight.
Bolt Nat" one of the boys cried,
Nat Davis looked up. quickly
"What is it?' he asked
"Your uncle, and he's after YOU,
One glance down the length o.. the brick
garden wall seemed to be enough for Nat.
Coming down the walk, cane in hand, red
faced and angry, was man whose excite
ment seemed due to some Other, cause than
discovery of his nephew engaged in fight.
That the object of his. interest was Nat,
however his actions plainly evidenced
That Nat knew the reason of that interest
his next nmbe movement proved.
He released his hold on 10. scrambled to
his feet and darting one swift look at. the
approaching man, shouted to his companions
"Cnt for it, boys'' then, leading the van, he
himself dashed along the pavement.
10 Morris found himself alone so suddenly
that his assailants seemed to have vanished
By magic. i,
Wondering at the circumstances that had
occurred to favor his release, he struggled
slowly to his feet, wiped the blood from his
face, and caught sight of four boys Just dis
rate William Dodge, Mats uncle. in hot
pursuit. waving cane and shouting wildly
after them to stop.
The fifth member of the original group had
trusted to concealment rather than flight to
evade the storm of rage that the appearance
of William Dodge threatened to bring down
ON Nat and his friends, and, from the in
terror Of a. tree-box, through, the broken side
of which he had crawled, he surveyed the
scene and it's actors curiously.
The fugitive and the .pursuer had ,disap-
peared. 10 Morris remained, but the hiding
= boy feared vengeance. and .prudently kept
himself concealed, awaiting the departure Of
10, and watching him.
'Tbe cowardly sneaks!' calculated exasper-
ated Jo as he recovered his breath and calm
ness after a pause They've delayed me:
battered me and, I fear robbed me. I'll
teach them lesson yeti No, they haven't