“I come from Hollow Hut,” answered the boy with his simple dignity.
“And whar you goin’ to?” called the other man, while both laughed unpleasantly.
“Ter the city,” said the boy.
“Wal, now, that’s a pretty nice fox skin ye got rolled up thar,” said the tall one as they came closer. “S’pose you jes’ hand that over to us.”
“I can’t,” said the boy, holding it tighter in real alarm. “I swapped it with a man fer a watch, an’ I’m a-takin’ it ter him.”
“Is that so!” exclaimed the tall man. “So you’ve got a watch, hev ye? Who’d a-thought it,”––and they both haw-hawed loudly. “Now, ye can jes’ 37 han’ that over too, fer we mean bizness, don’t we, Bill?”
And with that they pounced upon the terrified boy, jerked the fox skin from his clinging fingers and soon brought forth from its hiding-place in his bosom the beautiful, beautiful watch! Steve fought like a small tiger, but he was no match for them and stunned and bruised he soon lay upon the ground while the two men walked off, never once looking back at their helpless victim.
For a few minutes Steve could not think, so severe had been their cruel blows; then indignation, such as he had never known in his life, swept over him in a sudden flood. He sprang to his feet, ignoring pain and keenly watching which way they went, stealthily followed after. For two hours he kept within hearing of them, though being careful always that they did not get a glimpse of him. He did not know what he was going to do, but when they finally halted for the night he halted too. The men had also taken the last of his corn pone and bacon; there was nothing for him to eat, but he did not even think of it, so intently was he listening. Soon they began to sing and laugh very loudly and he knew then they had plenty of whiskey with them. Hope rose in his heart. After a bit they would fall into heavy sleep. He knew well the ways of drink.
Soon all was still, and after waiting a while till the sleep was deep he crept upon them. Fortunately the moon was up in its full glory and Steve could see plainly what he was about. He crept up close to the two snoring men and across the feet of the tall one lay his fox skin.