"We don't play with ragamuffins."
"I ain't a ragamuffin!" said Julius.
"Perhaps you're a gentleman in disguise," said one, with a sneer.
"I'm as much of a gentleman as you are," retorted Julius, angrily.
"Clear out, you beggar! We don't want you here," said the second boy, arrogantly.
Julius walked on indignantly.
"They insult me because I am poor," he said to himself. "I'll be rich some time, perhaps."
The possibility of becoming rich had never occurred to him before to-day; but Mr. O'Connor's words, and the fifty dollars which had been given him, made him hopeful and ambitious. He had heard that some of the rich men who owned warehouses in the great city had once been poor boys like himself. Might he not rise like them? For the first time in his life he seemed to be having a chance.
Marlowe saw him leave the boys with satisfaction. Had Julius stopped to play with them his scheme of vengeance would have been delayed, perhaps frustrated. It would not do for him to attack the boy in the presence of others. But Julius w r as walking away from the village into the interior. If he only went far enough he would be at his mercy.
What should he do to him? He might kill him, but killing is rather a dangerous game to play at in a civilized community.
"I'll take his money," thought Marlowe, "and beat him within an inch of his life. I'll teach him to betray me!"
At length Julius wandered to a spot solitary enough to suit his purpose. Strange to say, the boy had not turned, or noticed his pursuer. Marlowe was quite out of his thoughts. Who would think of finding him in this quiet scene? But he was destined to be rudely awakened from his dream of security. All at once he felt a hand upon his shoulder. Turning quickly, he saw one whom he supposed to be a sailor.
"What's wanted?" he asked.
"You're wanted."
"What for?" asked Julius, not yet recognizing his enemy.
"Don't you know me?" asked Marlowe.
"No."
"But I know you, you young villain!" exclaimed Marlowe, unable longer to repress his fury. "I'm the man you sold along with Jack Morgan.
I've got a reckoning with you, my lad, and it's goin' to be a heavy one. I haven't followed you all the way from New York for nothing."
CHAPTER XXIII.
A TIMELY RESCUE.
Julius was filled with a terrible fear, when in the man who stood over him menacingly he recognized Tom Marlowe. He knew the man's brutal disposition, and that he was very much incensed against him. He looked wildly around him for help, but he could see no one. The sailor had hidden behind a large tree, and was not visible.
"You're looking for help, are you?" sneered Marlowe. "Look all you want to. You're in my power. Now tell me, you treacherous young dog, why shouldn't I kill you?"
Julius regarded him in silent terror.
"You didn't think I'd get away from the cops you set on my track, did you? You thought you'd get rid of me, did you? Where's that money you got for selling us, eh?"
"I didn't sell you," said Julius, trembling.
"Don't lie to me. I know all about it. I followed you when you went with that boy that keeps the necktie stand. I know how much you got.
It was fifty dollars."
Julius was bewildered. He did not understand how Marlowe could have gained this information.
"Do you deny this?" demanded Marlowe.
"I didn't know I was to get any money," stammered Julius. "I wouldn't have told of you, but Paul had been kind to me."
"So you forgot all about Jack Morgan and me. You were ready to sell your best friends. But you didn't count the cost, my chicken! We generally pay up for such favors. I promised Jack I'd settle our account, and I'm goin' to do it."
"Is Jack took?" asked Julius, shrinking under the man's fierce glance.
"Yes, he is, curse you! If it hadn't been for your blabbing tongue we'd both have got off with the swag. Now hand over that money, and be quick about it."
"What money?" faltered Julius.
"You know well enough--the fifty dollars."
Julius felt thankful now that he had deposited the greater part with Paul.
"I haven't got it."
"You lie!" exclaimed Marlowe, brutally.
"I gave it to Paul, all except five dollars." "I don't believe you.
Empty your pockets."
Julius did so, but only five dollars were found. Marlowe was badly disappointed. Fifty dollars would have been of essential service to him, and they had dwindled to five.
"What business had you to give the money to him?" he demanded, harshly.
"I was afraid I might lose it."
"Give me the five dollars."
Julius reluctantly handed the bill to his enemy, who thrust it into his pocket.
"Now," said he, seizing Julius by the shoulder with a dark and menacing look, "I'll give you a lesson you'll remember to the last day of your life."
He threw Julius upon the ground, and was about savagely to kick the helpless boy, who would in all probability have died from the brutal treatment he was likely to receive, when he was seized by the collar, and sent whirling backward by a powerful hand.
"Avast there, you lubber!" said the sailor, who had felt it time to interfere. "What are you about?"
Marlowe turned furiously upon his unexpected assailant.
"I'll soon let you know, if you don't leave here pretty sudden. What business is it of yours?" he said, furiously.