When Fred Sheldon saw Bud Heyland standing before him in the path, his impulse was to whirl about and run, for he knew too well what to expect from the bully; but the latter, reading his thoughts called out:
"Hold on, Freddy, I won't hurt you, though you deserve a good horsewhipping on account of the mean way you cheated me out of the reward for capturing the lion; but I have a little business with you."
Wondering what all this could mean Fred stood still while the red-faced young man approached, though our hero wished as fervently that he was somewhere else as he did when he found himself face to face with the lion in the lane.
"Jake sent me," added Bud in his most persuasive manner, and with a strong effort to win the confidence of the boy, who was somewhat reassured by the last words.
"What does Mr. Kincade want?" asked Fred.
"Why, he told me to hurry after you and say that he had made a mistake in paying you that money."
"I guess he didn't make any mistake," replied the surprised boy.
"Yes, he did; it's twenty dollars short."
"No, it isn't, for Squire Jones and I counted it over twice."