Part 4 (2/2)
”I said we were going through on this road--and we are,” answered Dave, calmly, and he started to turn on the power again. As he did this Nat Poole leaped to the road directly in front of the touring car, and Jasniff and Merwell followed suit.
”Stop! Don't you dare to touch me, or I'll have the law on you!”
screamed the money-lender's son.
”We'll fix 'em for you, Nat!” cried Nick Jasniff. ”Come on, Link, get to work!” And leaping to one side of the roadway he dragged forth the dead limb of a tree and dropped it in front of the first car. Quick to understand, Merwell followed with another dead limb, and then with some stones.
”That's the stuff!” cried Nat Poole, his face brightening. ”Pile it up, fellows!” And he, too, ran for some sticks and stones, with which to make the barrier in the narrow roadway more complete.
Had Dave elected so to do he might have gone ahead when first this work was done by the enemy. But there was danger of injury both to the big touring car and to those in the roadway, and he did not wish to take the risk. Besides, there was no telling if Roger could get through, and he would not leave the crowd in the second automobile in the lurch.
”Now, I reckon you'll have to turn back!” cried Nat Poole, in triumph, after so much had been piled in the roadway that pa.s.sing was totally out of the question.
”Nat Poole, I believe you are the meanest boy in the whole world!” cried Jessie, and there was a suspicion of tears in her eyes as she spoke.
”Humph! You people needn't think that you are going to have the best of me all the time,” growled Nat.
”We are not doing this against any of the young ladies,” said Link Merwell, with a smirk at Laura that made Dave's sister turn away in disdain. ”We are only doing it to square accounts with Dave Porter and his cronies. We owe them a good deal,--and this is the first installment.”
”With a good deal more to follow!” added Nick Jasniff, with a wicked chuckle.
”To the best of my knowledge and belief, this is a public highway,” said Dave, as calmly as he could. ”You have no right to block the road, and I want you to clear that stuff away just as fast as you put it there.”
”Hear him talk!” cried Link Merwell. ”You'd think he was Governor of the State, wouldn't you?”
”Don't you mind what he says, Nat,” said Jasniff. ”If they start to take the stuff away we'll put it back.” And then, looking around, he picked up a heavy stick which might be used for a club. He was spoiling for a fight, and only the presence of the girls, and the fact that he and his cohorts were but three against five, kept him from attacking Dave.
”Oh, Dave, what shall we do?” whispered Jessie. She was becoming more frightened every minute.
”I don't see how we are going to turn around,” said one of the other girls. ”The trees are too close to the sides of the road.”
”We are not going to turn around,” answered Dave, and his face took on a stern look. He turned to his chums. ”How about it?”
”I'll fight them before I turn back!” answered Roger.
”So will I,” added Phil. ”I don't believe they have any more right to this road than we have.”
”Oh, you mustn't fight,” cried Laura.
”Do you want to let that crowd crow over us, Laura?” asked Dave, flatly.
”No, no, Dave! But--but----” And then Laura stopped short, not knowing what to say. She did not wish to see an encounter, nor did she wish her brother and his chums to give in to those who were so unjustly opposing them.
CHAPTER IV
AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL
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