"Good for you, William!" exclaimed Kit.
"You won't earn ten cents any easier," persisted Bickford.
"I wouldn't do such a mean thing for a dollar, nor five dollars," replied William. "Kit's a friend of mine, and I'm going to stand by him."
The blacksmith was made angry by this persistent refusal. Then again he was faint and uncomfortable from having missed his breakfast, which seemed likely to be indefinitely postponed.
"I'll lick you, Bill Morris, as well as Kit, when I catch you," he said.
"Probably you will—when you catch me!" retorted William, in an aggravating tone. "Run faster, Kit."
The boys ran, but again they were impeded by the heavy valise, and slowly but surely the blacksmith was gaining upon them.
Kit, who was again carrying the burden, began to show signs of distress, and dropped behind his companion.
"I can't hold out much longer, Bill," he said, puffing laboriously.
Aaron Bickford heard these words, and they impelled him to extra exertion. At last he caught up and grasped Kit by the collar.