do a vaudeville turn right away?"

"Get 'em on their feet," ordered the boss tramp. "We'll show
'em a few things!"

But Dick protested dolefully, sinking back to the ground as soon
as the tramp who had hold of him showed a little compassion by
letting go of his arm.

"Give me time, I tell you," Dick insisted in a weak voice. "Don't
try to kill us, on top of such a thrashing as you gave us."

"Let go of me," urged Darry still speaking sulkily. "If you want
anything better than a sob song you'll have to give me time to
get my breath back."

As though satisfied that they could get no sport out of the high
school boys for the present, the tramps allowed them to lie on
the ground, breathing fitfully and groaning.

Dick was watching his chance to get up and bolt, depending upon
his speed as a football player to take him out of this dangerous
company. Darrin was equally watchful---but so were the tramps.
Plainly the latter did not intend to let their prey get away
from them easily.

As for Reuben Hinman, obeying a command, the peddler had alighted
from his wagon and now sat with his back against a tree. He had
no thought of trying to get away, well knowing that his aged legs
would not carry him far in a dash for freedom. The peddler's