John was no coward, but he knew that in a physical contest, he, a boy of fifteen, would be no match for a man close upon six feet in height. Discretion was evidently the better part of valor. If he could not overcome his antagonist, could he elude him? He darted a quick glance around, in order to understand the situation and form his plans.
He couldn't keep on, that was evident. To the right, at the distance of a quarter of a mile, he saw a small pond gleaming in the sunlight. It might have been a mile in circumference. Behind it was a belt of woods. It occurred to John that he might find a boat somewhere along the shore. If so, he could paddle across, and Mr. Huxter would be left in the lurch. If he found no boat, his chances would be small. But at any rate this seemed his only feasible plan. Mr. Huxter was already within a few rods, so there was no time to lose. John clambered up on the stone wall.
"Stop, you rascal!" shouted Mr. Huxter, as soon as he saw this movement.
"I'd rather not," said John, coolly.
"I'll give you the worst flogging you ever had!" said his pursuer, provoked.
"That's no inducement," said John, as he jumped on the other side, and began to run across the field.
"I'll make him pay for all the trouble he gives me," said Mr. Huxter, between his teeth.
He stopped the horse, and jumped into the road. He would like to have pursued John at once, but he did not dare to leave the horse loose, fearing that he would not stand. Although chafing at the delay, he felt that prudence required him to secure the horse, which was a valuable one, before setting out after the fugitive. "The more haste the worse speed," says an old proverb. So it proved in the present instance. Five minutes were consumed in attaching the horse to the branch of a tree. This done, Mr. Huxter jumped over the stone wall, and looked to see how far John had got. Our hero had already reached the shore of the pond, and was running along beside it. Mr. Huxter's eyes lighted up with exultation.
"I'll have him yet," he muttered. "The pond is in my favor."
He began to run diagonally to the point John was likely to reach. But suddenly John stopped and bent over.