"Now, then, you've got your chance to make a man of yourself. Any tantrums, and you'll hear from me quick, and hot and heavy."
This was his parental farewell, and Frank felt truly sorry for poor Bob, who, with all his sullenness, seemed entitled to a little better treatment.
After Farmer Upton had left them, Frank tried to break in on his stepson's sulky reserve, but failed utterly. Bob drew within himself. He made ungracious replies to questions put to him when Frank tried to interest him, and about two o'clock went over to a vacant seat and curled up in it and went fast asleep.
It was about six o'clock when the train pulled into Bellwood. Frank found it to be a quaint, pretty town with delightful country surrounding it.
"Come on, Bob," he spoke as they stepped to the depot platform; "we must arrange to have our trunks sent up to the academy."
"You've got my check," said Bob. "You can attend to all that; I'll wait here."
"Oh, no," replied Frank lightly, "we'll stick together until we get landed."
He was determined to afford his companion no opportunity to stray off.
There was a look in Bob Upton's eye that recalled the oft-repeated injunction of his stepfather to watch out for "tantrums."
Frank arranged for the delivery of the trunks, and then made an inquiry of a truckman as to the location of Bellwood School. The man pointed out its towers about half a mile away.
They passed through the business part of the little town. At the village post-office several boys were waiting for their mail. They looked the newcomers over, but did not address them, and in a few minutes Frank and Bob found themselves pursuing a path following the windings of a little stream.
"We'll soon be there," announced Frank as they came to where on a slight rise of landscape the academy buildings stood pretty plainly in view.
"What's the matter, Bob?"
The latter had halted in a peculiar, positive way. He backed slightly. His eye was defiant and determined now, instead of sullen.
"The matter is this," he announced bluntly. "I don't intend to go to that school."
CHAPTER X
AN OBSTINATE REBEL
"What's that?" demanded Frank, looking Bob over in a quiet but resolute way.
"I said it," observed Bob Upton obstinately. "I don't go to that school."
"Nonsense!" retorted Frank simply with a laugh.
He understood that a crisis had come. He read in the face of his companion a set purpose, and he prepared to meet the dilemma squarely.
"I think all the more of you, Bob," he observed, "for speaking your mind right out, but you'll have to change it this time."
"Why will I?" demanded Bob.
"Because I'm going to convince you that your scheme won't work at all."
"We'll see," muttered Bob.
"We will," declared Frank. "In the first place, you're thinking things out wrong. In the second place, I've promised your stepfather to take you to the academy."
"What of it? I didn't agree."
"No; but I never break my word. I'm going to fill my contract, if I have to carry you to Bellwood School."
"You'll have to do it, then," retorted Bob Upton. "I shan't budge an inch."
"I won't argue with you, Bob," said Frank evenly. "I'll give you some advice----"
"Don't want none," flared up Bob.
"Then I'll give you two minutes to resume the tramp."
Frank took out his watch and held it in his hand, surveying his opponent with a pleasant smile. Bob Upton with scowling brows dug his shoes into the ground for sixty seconds, and then began to back away.
"It won't do," said Frank, stepping after him and seizing his arm firmly.
"Come, now, be a good fellow."
"You let me alone."
"I shan't."
There was a vigorous struggle. Bob was stoutly built, but he was no match for Frank. The latter laughed at his threatening struggles.
"Give me a chance to fix my shoe, will you?" growled Bob as he gave up the fight and Frank released him. Then he stood patiently awaiting his pleasure, while his companion fumbled at his feet.
Bob's back was to Frank, but the latter suspected no trick. Of a sudden, however, Bob whipped off both shoes, flinging them into the creek, his cap after them, stripped his coat from place and tossed it also into the water.
Then he flopped flat to the ground.
"I won't go another foot," he declared. "I'll rip every stitch of clothes on me to tatters and I'll fight like a wildcat before I'll make another step."
Frank's eyes flashed. His settled will showed in his resolute face.
"All right," he said quietly. "If you want to be handled like a wildcat, I can give you the treatment."
Quick as a flash Frank sprang to a plank reaching a few feet out into the stream. It appeared to have been a landing place for small boats. Lying across it was a piece of rope, evidently used in securing some water craft.
Seizing this, Frank made a leap back to his stubborn companion, jumped squarely astride of him, and snatching his knife from his pocket, cut the rope in two. In a jiffy he had bound the struggling hands of Bob. He performed the same function for his feet. Then, arising, he looked down steadily at his helpless captive.
"I can carry you easily that way," he observed.
Frank went along the banks of the stream until he found a long branch.
There was little current to the rivulet, and he soon fished out the floating coat and cap. One of the shoes had sunk, but it was in shallow water, and he managed to rescue this also.
"You're making a good deal of trouble, Bob," he remarked, "but you'll think better of it when you get cooled down."
All the stubborn resistance began to fade from the face of the wretched lad. He realized that he had found his master. The mute misery and helplessness in his eyes appealed more strongly to Frank's sympathies than had his former unpleasant mood.