The encounter had occurred at a spot where the trees were somewhat scattered and where rocks were numerous. As the two continued their struggle they sent the loose snow flying in all directions and often struck on some of the rocks.
At last Dave managed to get his opponent by the throat, and he forced Porton’s head backward 73 against a large stone. In the meantime, however, the rascal managed to double up one of his legs, and he gave Dave a shove in the stomach which sent him rolling over on his side.
“Now I’ll fix you!” panted Porton, and, releasing his right hand, he picked up a loose stone which their scuffle had exposed to view. The next instant he brought the stone up, hitting our hero on the side of the head. It was a furious blow, and for the moment Dave was stunned. He let go of the other’s throat, and as he did this Ward Porton arose to his feet.
“Now I guess you’ll let me alone!” he snarled; and aimed a vicious kick at Dave’s head. But the youth, even though somewhat bewildered, had sense enough left to dodge, and the blow landed on his shoulder.
Then Porton turned and dashed wildly along the woods path leading in the direction of Barnett.
It took our hero several seconds to collect himself sufficiently to arise. His ear was ringing from the contact with the stone, which fortunately had been a smooth one, and his shoulder also ached, even though the kick had been delivered through the padding of his overcoat.
He gazed along the path, and was just in time to see Porton disappearing around a bend.
If Dave had been thoroughly angry before, he was now even more so; and, shaking his head to 74 clear his brain, he started on a run after the fugitive. He reached the turn in the path to see Porton emerging from the woods and taking to the highway leading to the railroad depot.
“He must be running to catch a train,” thought our hero. “And if that is so I’ll have to hustle or he’ll get away.”
By the time Dave gained the highway leading to Barnett, Ward Porton had reached the vicinity of the first of the houses in the village. Here he paused to glance back, and, seeing his pursuer, shook his fist at Dave. Then he went on about fifty yards farther, suddenly turning into a lane between two of the houses.