sharp cuts across his legs by Hal made the fellow change his mind.

"I reckon your uncle will stay until he's called for," laughed Jack, as
they started. "Anyway, the matter of greatest importance is to deliver
the money to Mr. Farnum before it goes through any more mishaps."

"I tell ye, tain't right to make me go along an' be sent to jail,"
declared Jaggers, earnestly. "Ye've already done me harm enough, and
got me outer my job."

"If you haven't head enough to know the difference between getting
yourself into all your troubles, and our doing it, there's no use
arguing the matter," retorted Jack, quietly. "Get along, now, for we
don't mean to have any nonsense. We've got to get through in time to
send someone back for your uncle.", Despite the vigilance of both boys,
Dan lagged all he could. As he came nearer to the seaport village his
despair and rage increased so that he several times halted and flatly
refused to stir. At such times Hal had to use the stick with
increasing severity.

At last, with a violent wrench, Jaggers, with his strong wrists, managed
to snap the cords upon which he had already made many efforts.

"Now, see here," he defied them, waving his fists in the air, "mebbe ye
think ye're goin' to take me with ye, but ye won't take me inter town
alive!"

Retreating, he crouched against a tree, waving his fists before him.
Jack and Hal lost no time closing in with the bully, but he drove them
back. The boys were not prepared to do their enemy serious bodily harm;