“What were you going to do?” asked Ralph, looking keenly at Abner. “Why were you pointing the pistol at him?”
“I wanted to frighten him.”
“You meant to have him think you were going to fire. I believe you were.”
“Why didn't he come down when I bade him?”
“I'll answer that question,” said Herbert, from the top of the tree. “Mr. Holden promised to beat me if I would come down, but I didn't think that a sufficient inducement.”
“I have a right to beat you,” said Abner, doggedly. “Ain't you bound to me; tell me that?”
“I was,” said Herbert, “and if you had treated me well, I would have stayed with you; but I don't mean to remain to be abused.”
“You hear the lad's answer,” said Ralph. “I like his spirit, and I'll stand by him. He won't return with you.”
While this conversation had been going on, Abner had been slowly edging himself toward the spot upon which Ralph had thrown the pistol, which he had wrenched from him. While Ralph was speaking, he suddenly darted forward, seized the weapon, and, facing about, said, with malicious triumph, “Now, you're in my power, both of you. We'll see whether he'll go back with me or not.”
As he spoke he pointed the pistol toward Ralph.