The young master of Hyson Hall

by Frank R. Stockton

Phil instantly turned, and stood astounded.

“Ha! ha!” cried Emile. “Now I have you! I can shoot you like one dog, if I choose. Now, you beg my pardon for what you haf done, or I will blow your head off!”

Whether Phil heard these words or not it is impossible to say, but certain it is that he did not heed them. Brandishing his ramrod, he rushed towards Emile. He felt sure that the latter was merely trying to frighten him, and he did not intend to be frightened. He did intend, however, to take that gun from him.

But he did not know the French boy’s nature. Surprised at Phil’s temerity, Emile again shouted to him, saying that if he did not stop he would certainly fire, at the same time cocking both barrels, and raising the gun to his shoulder. His threat was not an idle one. Phil approached so furiously, brandishing his ramrod, that Emile would not have dared to let him come near him. He was much less afraid of the consequences, if he fired, than of Phil’s attacking him, and being assisted in a moment, perhaps, by Chap. He had found out before that Phil, though a smaller boy than himself, was a tough fellow to handle. And now he carried a weapon of some kind. He quickly made up his mind to warn Phil again, and then, if he did not stop, to fire. Angry as he was, he did not wish to kill the boy, and determined to fire at his legs. He did not think of the legal consequences of such an act, nor that the report of his gun would probably make his horse run away. There was nothing in his mind but mingled rage and fear.

“Stop!” he cried; but Phil did not stop.

It may be supposed that no boy would have the courage to run forward thus in the face of a loaded gun, but Phil had not the slightest idea that Emile would dare to fire.

Hurriedly aiming the gun below Phil’s body, Emile pulled one trigger. As he did so, the thought flashed through Emile’s mind that if he did not hit the young rascal at first, this would show him that he was in earnest. As the hammer came down, the cap exploded with a loud snap, but the gun did not go off.

Phil stopped short and turned pale. Was the fellow really going to kill him? In another instant he would have turned and fled to the shelter of the woods, but Emile, frightened at his failure, and reckless of what he was doing, aimed the gun at Phil’s head, and pulled the other trigger. Again there was a snap, but no report.

The color rushed back into Phil’s face at this second mis-fire. The gun was harmless now, and again he dashed at Emile, but the latter instantly turned and ran for his buggy, carrying the gun. He did not drop it, because he was afraid that Phil would use it against him.

Phil was after him in hot haste, but Emile reached the buggy first, and springing in, shouted to the horse. The animal was already getting restive, having his head turned homeward, and immediately started away.