He advanced toward Tony in a threatening manner, when he was diverted from his purpose by seeing the old man hastily gathering up the gold. Punishment could wait, he thought, but the gold must be secured now.
Not so fast, Ben!” he said. “You must lend me some of that.”
“I can’t,” said Ben, hurrying all the faster. “It’s all I have, and I am very poor.”
“I am poorer still, for I haven’t a red to bless myself with. Come, I won’t take all, but some I must have.”
He stooped over and began to grasp at the gold pieces, some of which were heaped up in piles upon the floor.
Even the weakest are capable of harm when exasperated, and Ben was gifted with preternatural strength when he saw himself likely to lose the hoards of a lifetime, and his anger rose to fever heat against the scoundrel whom he had known years before.
With a cry like that of a wild beast, he sprang upon the tramp, who, in his crouching position, was unable to defend himself against a sudden attack. Rudolph fell backward, striking his head with great force against the brick hearth and he lay insensible, with the blood gushing from a wound in his head.
The old man stood appalled at the consequence of his sudden attack.
Have I killed him? Shall I be hanged?”
“No, he’s only stunned,” said Tony, with all his wits about him. “We have no time to lose.”