"I got lost in the woods, and passed the night in that man's house," said our hero. "He tried to rob me, but I locked him in the closet, and jumped out of the window and escaped. This morning he got on my track, and would have caught me but for the ditch."
"You locked him in the closet!" repeated the other. "How were you able to do that? You are only a boy, while he is a strong man."
Walter explained the matter briefly.
"That was pretty smart," said Peter Halcomb, for this was the name of the man who questioned him. "You're able to take care of yourself."
"I don't know how it would turn out, if you hadn't come up."
"I happened to be at home when my boy came and told me that Jack Mangum had offered him fifty cents for some breakfast. He told me about you also, and, as I suspected Jack was up to some of his tricks, I came along."
"I am very much obliged to you," said Walter, "and I hope you'll let me pay you for your trouble."
"I don't want any pay, but you may pay my boy what you promised him, if you want to."
"I certainly will; and I never paid away money with more pleasure. As I haven't had anything to eat since yesterday afternoon, I should like to have you direct me to the nearest place where I can get some breakfast."