"Your rights!" retorted the other, laughing contemptuously.

"Yes, my rights," returned Herbert, quietly. "I have a right to half of
the road, and I have taken it. If I turn out any more, I shall go into
the gully."

"That makes no difference. A wetting won't do you any harm. Your
impudence needs cooling."

"That may be," said Herbert, who did not choose to get angry, but was
resolved to maintain his rights; "but I object to the wetting, for all
that, and as this wagon is not mine, I do not choose to upset it."

"You are the most insolent young scamp I ever came across!" exclaimed
the other, furiously. "I've a good mind to give you something much worse
than a wetting."

"Such as what?" asked our hero, coolly. In reply the man flourished his
whip significantly. "Do you see that?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Oh, very well," said the other, ironically; "I'm glad you do. Perhaps
you wouldn't like to feel it?"

"No, I don't think I should," said Herbert, not exhibiting the least
apprehension.

The stranger handled his whip, eyeing our hero viciously at the same