Part 38 (2/2)

”Don't mind him--help me,” said Macklin again.

Ferris hesitated, but at last approached and caught Hal by the arm.

”Let Macklin up,” he said.

Instead of replying Hal sprang to his feet. In one hand he held the key, and with the other he shoved Ferris up against the wall.

”Now let me pa.s.s!”

”Don't do it!” howled Macklin.

”I won't,” replied Ferris.

He caught Hal by the coat tail. This compelled the youth to turn once more. He aimed a blow at Ferris' head, and the fellow went down over the table.

Hal now thought he saw his way clear to escape. He bounded toward the door, and was just inserting the key into the lock when Macklin sprang up.

Beside the stove lay a heavy billet of wood, which the man had intended to split up for kindlings. Macklin caught up the stick, and jumping behind Hal, hit the youth a fearful blow directly on the top of the head.

With a low cry, Hal sank down in a heap. Macklin gave a sudden gasp, and Ferris straightened up.

”Have you--killed him?” asked Ferris in a tone, of horror.

”I don't know,” replied the tough. ”Dat was a kinder heavy crack, wasn't it?”

Ferris shuddered. A thin stream of blood was issuing from Hal's head, and this made the tall boy sick. He approached and gazed at Hal's pallid face and motionless form.

”I'm afraid you have killed him, Macklin,” he said.

”Me killed him?” cried the tough. ”I kinder think you had as much ter do wid it as me.”

Ferris had a sudden chill dart down his back-bone at these words. If anything was wrong it was certain Macklin did not intend to shoulder the blame.

”What made you hit him so hard?” he asked.

”I couldn't help it. Let's see how bad he is.”

Macklin approached Hal and turned over the limp body. Then he placed his hand over the youth's heart.

”He ain't dead yet. Dat was a hard crack, but he's got a strong const.i.tution, dat feller has. Say?”

”Well?”

Macklin came up close to d.i.c.k Ferris, who was now as white as a sheet.

”We is good friends, Ferris, ain't we?”

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