Evidently the man suspected his intention. He declined to be pushed back, and seeing what he considered a good chance, he hurled himself at 290 Matt once more, and this time both rolled to the floor.
In going down, the young auctioneer struck his head upon the sharp corner of a box. He was partly stunned, and for several seconds could not make a movement in his own favor. The piece of the fishing-rod flew out of his hand, and this his opponent picked up.
“I’ll teach you to talk to a gentleman like myself!” growled the tipsy man, and he aimed a blow at the young auctioneer’s head with the weapon he had secured.
The blow failed to reach its mark, but undismayed by his failure to injure Matt, the man gathered himself together and prepared for a second attack.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
A SURPRISING DISCOVERY.
It looked as if the young auctioneer was in for a serious time of it. As has been said, the would-be purchaser of a pistol was just drunk enough to be ugly and unreasonable. He had refused to leave the auction store, and now he was bent upon doing mischief to the boy who had failed to treat him as he fancied he ought to be served.
“Now, how do you like that, you young rascal?” growled the man, as he brought the end of the fishing-rod down for a second time.