Part 4 (1/2)
CHAPTER III
IN DESPERATE STRAITS
Tad's assailant hastily gathered the boy up The lance up and down the deck, he stepped toward the rail with his burden Just then footsteps were heard
”Hey! What are you doing there?” bellowed a voice Afrom somewhere in the after part of the shi+p Butler's assailant dropped his burden, dodged into a passageway in the deck-house, closing the door behind hi before the newcomer reached the door and threw it open Then the rescuer turned to the unconscious Tad Butler
”Well, here's trouble!” heup Tad's li shone up ”It's that freckle-faced kid Sorowled the ers ”I reckon I'll fetch hi the lad down on the deck where he would have plenty of air, the Digger worked over the Pony Rider Boy for fully five minutes before Tad returned to consciousness Butler was too dazed to realize what had occurred
”I'll take you belo, my lad,” said Dawson
”No, no Not yet,” protested Tad ”Wait I want to think”
”Who was the felloho hit you?” demanded Dawson
”I--I don't know,” stammered Tad
”What did he do it for?”
”I--I don't know I--”
”You aren't very strong on inforrinned the prospector
”I want--want to see Mr Darwood”
”You can see hiht so alone--in ahi unsteadily ”I don't want anyone to know
I'll tell Mr Darhat I have to say”
”Have it your oay I'et down all right,” answered thea wetting,” said the boy, extending an io to ht”
Tad's progress beloas slow and unsteady Daatched him until the door of the cabin had closed behind the Pony Rider Boy
”That's a raw deal,” muttered the miner ”I'd like to punch the head of the felloould do that to a kid!”
Butler got into his bunk without awakening his co ti his head felt twice its ordinary size The boys joked hi to say what had been the matter with hied in a scuffle, but what it was he was unable to i, as if in search of so late in the forenoon Theof nails on the after part of the upper deck, his back to Tad
”Good reeted the Pony Rider Boy
The red-whiskeredhis beard fall limply to his side
”Beard hurt you?” questioned Tad sweetly