“That's no inducement,” said our hero, coolly.
“Do you refuse to obey me?” shouted Abner, stamping angrily.
“I refuse to be flogged. You don't get me down for any such purpose, Mr. Holden.”
“Then, by Heaven, if you won't come otherwise, I'll come up and help you down.”
The angry man at once commenced the ascent. Anger gave him strength, and, though he was unaccustomed to climbing, he continued to mount up about halfway to the first branching off, somewhat to Herbert's uneasiness, for he felt there was a chance that he might fall into Abner's clutches.
But Abner's success was only temporary. At the height of a dozen feet he began to slip, and, despite his frantic struggles, he slid gradually to the ground, tearing his coat, which he had not taken the precaution to remove, and blistering his hands.
What was to be done?
In his anger and excitement, he drew a pistol from his breast pocket, and pointed upward, saying menacingly, “Come down at once, you young rascal, or I will fire!”
Herbert was startled. He did not believe the pistol to be loaded. Still it might be.
“Will you come down?” repeated Abner, fiercely. “Quick, or I fire.”