His employer meekly obeyed.
Then Walter, rising, dropped the wallet on the floor of the wagon, and reaching over suddenly grasped the revolver from the unsuspecting robber, and before he recovered from his amazement brought down the whip with terrible force on the flanks of his horse. The startled animal gave a spring that nearly unseated his rider and dashed madly down the road.
The robber was furious. As soon as he could he regained control of his steed and galloped back.
“Give me that revolver!” he shouted, in a rage.
Walter held the weapon in his hand and steadily pointed it at its late owner.
“I'll give you the contents if you don't ride off.”
“Confound you, you young rascal! If you don't give me back my weapon I'll kill you!”
It was an empty threat, as Walter well knew.
“Do you hear me?” he said quietly.
The robber scanned him curiously. He had thought him a mere boy, without spirit or courage. Now he was compelled to revise his opinion of him. Threats would not answer. He must have recourse to strategy.