go, you brute!" he added, and began to run Baxter toward the open
gateway. In vain the bully tried to resist. Dick's blood was
up, and he did not release his hold or relinquish his efforts
until the bully had been pushed along the road for a distance of
fifty yards.

"Now you dare to come back!" said Dick, shaking his fist at the
fellow. "If you come, I'll have you locked up."

"We'll see about it, Dick Rover," snarled Dan Baxter. He paused
for an instant. "He laughs best who laughs last," he muttered,
and strode off as fast as his long legs would carry him, in the
direction of the lake.

When Dick returned to Dora he found that the girl had sunk down
on the piazza steps nearly overcome.

"Don't be afraid, Dora; he's gone," he said kindly.

"Oh, Dick, I'm so afraid of him!" she gasped.

"Was he here long before I came up?"

"About ten minutes. He brought a message from Mr. Crabtree, who
wants to see me in Cedarville. I told him I wouldn't go -- and I
won't."

"I shouldn't either, Dora. Perhaps Crabtree only wants to get
you away from the house so that he can come here and see your
mother."