CHAPTER X
PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH
Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along nowwithout help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment wasquite as great as before.
As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field everyday, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of therest to Mr. Mead.
The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, hebent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there wasstill a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantialfarmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but requiredparties to obtain his permission.
As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and herson condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.
On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip wascrossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat, when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.
They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that hehad a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.
Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:
"Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"
"It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.
"It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow allthe loafers in town here."
"Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.
"All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clearout."
"Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what businessit is of yours," said Tommy.
"I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you knowwhat business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in abullying tone.
Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was notdisposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars betweenthe berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt tobully the young brother and sister.
"Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is alwaystrying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they arepoor."
Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.
Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.
Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued hispersecutions.
"Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.
"No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and youhave no right to touch us."
"I'll show you whether I have or not," said Philip, in his mostdominating tone.
He drew back his foot, and deliberately kicked over the children'spails, one after the other. Probably there was not more than a pint ineither pail, as the children had just commenced picking, but it wascertainly aggravating.
Rose began to cry, while Tommy, his face turning red, said:
"I wish I was big enough; I'd make you sorry for what you have done."
"I see I shall have to give you a lesson," said Philip. "I'll teach youto be impudent to me."
He advanced toward Tommy in a threatening manner, and Harry thought ittime to interfere.
"Don't touch that boy, you contemptible bully!" he exclaimed, indignantly, hurrying to the scene of conflict.
"Oh, Harry, make him stop," exclaimed Tommy, in joyful tones.
"I will," said Harry, resolutely.
Philip Ross was very much annoyed by the unexpected arrival of Harry, whom he had never been able to intimidate, and would gladly have slunkaway if pride had not hindered.
"You'd better take care what you say," he rejoined, in a surly tone.
"And you had better take care what you do," returned Harry, manfully.
"Why have you been interfering with these poor children?"
"I am not responsible to you for what I do," said Philip, angrily. "Theyare trespassing on this field, and I ordered them off."
"By what right? You don't own it."
"My friend, Mr. Hammond, does."
Here Tommy explained that Mr. Hammond had given them permission to pickberries.
"I don't believe it," said Philip, "and I've no doubt you aretrespassing, too."
"Perhaps you'd like to serve me the same way," suggested Harry.
"I'll leave Mr. Hammond to kick you out himself."
"That is more prudent. Stop! where are you going?" for Philip wasstarting to leave them.
"I don't like the company I'm in. I'm going to leave you to enjoy eachother's society."
"Not yet," said Harry.
"Can't you spare me?" sneered Philip.
"Not till you have picked up the berries you have upset."
"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Philip, angrily.
"No; I am only demanding what is reasonable and right. You upset theberries, and it is only fair you should pick them up."
"Pick them up yourself!" said Philip.
Again he started away, but Harry planted himself resolutely in hispath.
"You must pick up those berries or fight me," he said.
"Keep away from me, you beggar!" screamed Philip.
"Once more, will you pick up those berries?"
"No, I won't!"
Harry's only answer was to seize Philip round the middle, and, despitehis struggles, to lay him down on the ground.
"You'll suffer for this!" said Philip, almost screaming with rage.
"You can go now," said Harry, contemptuously, "and take care how youinterfere with Tommy and Rose again."
Philip rose from the ground, angry and humiliated, yet not daring toattack Harry, whom he knew to be his superior in strength.
"You haven't heard the last of this," he said, shaking his fist.
Harry deigned no reply, and Philip, instead of keeping on his way to theriver, turned and walked homeward.
Harry helped the children pick up their berries, and remained with themthrough the forenoon.
CHAPTER XI
THE TWO CONSPIRATORS
Philip thirsted for revenge upon Harry, but it did not seem very clearin what way it was to be obtained. The trouble was that Harry was alwaysin the right in all the difficulties they had had, and was likely tohave popular sympathy on his side.
As Philip walked home, fuming with anger, it occurred to him to make aformal complaint against Harry before a justice of the peace. But theexamination which would ensue would disclose his unjustifiable conductin the berry field, and he reluctantly abandoned the idea.
While in this state of mind he met a recent acquaintance, some threeyears older than himself, named James Congreve.
Congreve was boarding at the village hotel, with apparently no businesson hand more pressing than smoking, fishing and lounging about thevillage.
He came from the city of Brooklyn, and had been sent to this quietvillage to remove him from the temptations of the city.
He had been in several business positions, but had given satisfaction innone, and, so far as usefulness was concerned, was perhaps as well offhere as anywhere else.
As James Congreve wore good clothes, and had a showy gold watch andchain, which indicated worldly prosperity, Philip was glad to make hisacquaintance, for Congreve taught him to smoke and play cards formoney.
So when the two met James Congreve asked, languidly:
"What are you up to, Philip?"
"Not much," answered Philip, suddenly.
"You look out of sorts."
"Oh, I've just had a fight with a boy in the berry pasture."
"I hope you didn't hurt him much," said Congreve, smiling.
"No; but I'd like to," replied Philip, spitefully.
"Who is the villain?"
"Harry Gilbert, a low, impudent upstart."
"Yes, I know; used to be in the grocery store, didn't he?"
"Yes."
"What's he done now?"
"Oh, it's too long a story to tell. He was impudent to me, that's all. Iwould like to annoy him in some way."
"Get him into a scrape, eh?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps we can think of some way. If you haven't anything better to do, come up to my room and play cards."
"I don't mind."
Soon afterward the two were sitting at a small table in Congreve'sbedroom at the hotel, playing poker.
This is essentially a gambling game, and for that reason it was aspecial favorite with James Congreve. He was much more than a match forPhilip, whom he had initiated into the mysteries of the game.
"How much do I owe you, Congreve?" asked Philip, as they sat down totheir unprofitable employment.
"I don't know, exactly; I've got an account somewhere," answered
Congreve, carelessly.
"It must be as much as ten dollars," said Philip, rather uneasily.
"Somehow, you always have more luck at the cards than I do."
"Luck will change in time. Besides, I am in no hurry for the money."
"I only wish an allowance of two dollars a week. Father will only giveme half of it, and mother makes up the rest. So it would take five weeksto pay you, and leave me without a cent to spend."
"Probably you won't have to pay it at all. You may win it all backto-day."
Thus encouraged, Philip began to play, but was as unlucky as usual. Herose from the table owing Congreve five dollars more than when he satdown. "Just my luck!" ejaculated Philip, with a long face. "Just look upthe account and let me know what it all amounts to."
Congreve made a little calculation, and announced, in apparent surprise, that Philip owed him twenty-two dollars.
"It can't be!" ejaculated Philip, in dismay.
"There's no doubt about it," said Congreve. "However, don't troubleyourself about it. I can wait. And now for your affair with this Gilbertboy. I've got an idea that I may prove serviceable to you."
During the next fifteen minutes a wicked plot was devised, of which itwas intended that Harry should be the victim. The particulars must bereserved for the next chapter.
CHAPTER XII
AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION
"Come here, will you!"
Harry Gilbert turned around, for the call was evidently addressed tohim, and saw, standing on the piazza of the hotel, James Congreve.
"Come here a moment. I want to speak to you," said Congreve, taking fromhis mouth the cigar he was smoking.
Harry was surprised. He had scarcely any acquaintance with Congreve, whom he knew chiefly as a companion of Philip Ross. Hitherto he hadtaken no notice of Harry – a circumstance not regretted by our hero, whohad not formed a favorable opinion of the young man.
"Do you wish to speak to me?" he asked, politely.
"Yes," said James, blandly. "May I offer you a cigar?"
"Thank you, I don't smoke," returned Harry, with increased surprise at
Congreve's friendly tone.
"It's a bad habit; I dare say you are right," said Congreve gladly. "Imean to break off soon. But what I wanted to ask you was: Do you knowyour way about the Pegan Hill Woods?"
"Yes; I've been there often."
"Then you are just the companion I want. I am thinking of exploring themwith my gun. I suppose I am likely to find some birds?"
"Oh, yes; it's a good place for a sportsman."
"Suppose you come with me. We can have a pleasant afternoon."
Harry hesitated. He did not wish to be disobliging, nor did he wish tosacrifice the afternoon. As he did not specially fancy Congreve, he didnot expect any pleasure from his company, though the young man seemeddisposed to be cordial. This Harry explained to himself by Congreve'sdesire to secure his services as a guide, and, therefore, did not feelmuch flattered.
James Congreve noticed and understood his hesitation.
"Of course," he said, "I do not wish to take up your time withoutcompensation. I will pay you fifty cents for your services."
This put a different face on the matter. Fifty cents was very good payfor an afternoon's work, and Harry at once decided that he could not letslip so good an opportunity.
"If you think my company will be worth that to you," he said, "I amquite willing. How long do you want to stay?"
"I intend to return in time for supper."
"Then it won't be necessary to go home and tell my mother where I amgoing."
"Oh, dear, no! You will be back before she has time to miss you."
"When do you want to go?"
"At once. I will go in and get my gun and be with you in a moment."
"Unexpected things seem to happen to me pretty often," thought Harry. "Inever expected we should have an uncle of Mrs. Ross as a boarder, andhere is Philip's intimate friend hiring me as a guide. Somehow, mydestiny seems to be closely connected with Philip's, though we are aboutas far from being friends as any two boys can be."
"Is any one going with you?" asked Harry when Congreve came out of thehotel with his gun.
"No one except you."
"I don't know where Philip is this afternoon," said Congrevecarelessly.
Harry rather wondered whether Philip and his companion had had aquarrel. It would not have surprised him very much, for Philip was quitein the habit of quarreling with his associates.
"How far is it to the edge of the woods?" asked Congreve.
"About a mile and a half."
"Quite a good distance. However, it's early, and we shall have timeenough."
Part of their course lay through the fields and meadows.
As they neared the woods, suddenly Congreve said, in a tone ofwell-counterfeited surprise:
"Why, there is Philip Ross sitting on a rock! I wonder what brought himhere? Hello, Philip!"
CHAPTER XIII
THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN
Philip turned and surveyed the newcomers in apparent surprise.
"Are you out gunning?" he asked.
"Yes. I have secured a guide, as you see, fearing I might get lost inthe woods. I believe you know him?"
"I have that honor," said Philip, superciliously.
This was so much in Philip's ordinary style that Harry did not dreamthere was any collusion between them, and that Philip was here byappointment.
"You haven't explained how you happen to be here," said Congreve.
"I? Oh, I had a little headache, and I thought I would take a walk inthe fresh air."
"Won't you join us?" asked Congreve.
"I don't know," said Philip, irresolutely.
Harry, supposing his indecision might spring from a dislike to hispresence, here spoke up:
"Perhaps you won't want me any longer, as you have met Philip."
"Oh, yes I do. He may not care to stay with me all the afternoon, as hehas a headache."
"Probably I shan't be with you more than half an hour," said Philip.
"I'll walk a little way into the wood."
"Come along, then."
So the three passed into the woods together, Congreve in the middle, with Philip on one side and Harry on the other.
Philip and Congreve engaged in conversation, the latter apparentlyforgetting that he had a gun on his shoulder. Harry, however, rememberedthat he was guide to a sportsman, and kept on the lookout for birds.
"Hush! There's a partridge," he said, touching Congreve's arm andpointing to the bird.
James Congreve quickly brought his gun to rest and fired. He had verylittle skill, however, and the startled bird flew away, in less dangerthan if the gun had been in the hands of Harry.
"I didn't have time to take aim," said Congreve, apologetically. "Canyou shoot?"
"A little," answered Harry, modestly.
"If I had had the gun the bird wouldn't have got away," said Philip, boastfully.
"Take it, then," said Congreve.
"All right!"
So Philip took the gun and began to look out for birds.
He soon had an opportunity to show his skill. A bird was seen flyingslowly through the air.
"There's your chance, Phil!" said Congreve, quickly.
Philip raised the gun awkwardly, and it went off in quite a differentdirection from the one contemplated. But, as luck would have it, afoolish crow got in the way just at the critical moment, and receivedthe charge meant for another object.
"There; do you see that?" exclaimed Philip, triumphantly.
"You don't mean to say you intended to shoot that crow?" asked
Congreve.
"Of course I did!" answered Philip shortly, determined to get the creditof his success.
Harry could not help smiling. "What are you laughing at?" demanded
Philip, scowling.
"At the mistake I made," answered Harry, good-humoredly. "I thought youwere firing at the partridge."
"You see you were mistaken," said Philip, offensively.
"I see I was," returned Harry, quietly.
He thought it was foolish to get angry about such a trifle.
"Go and get the crow," said Philip, arrogantly.
It had fallen among some underbrush not far away.
"Shall I?" asked Harry, turning to Congreve, whom he recognized as hisemployer, and the only one entitled to order him about.
"What do you want it for, Philip?" asked Congreve. "It's only acrow – good for nothing."
"Never mind; I want it," answered Philip.
In truth, it was the first bird he had ever succeeded in shooting, though he would not have been willing to acknowledge this, and he wantedto display it at home as a trophy of his skill.
"Then you may get it," said Congreve, who, in spite of his dishonorablecharacter, was, in manners, more of a gentleman than Philip.
Harry at once plunged into the thicket, and not without difficultysucceeded in finding the crow, which he brought out and delivered toPhilip. The latter only consented to carry it on account of the pride hefelt in his success as a sportsman.
"Here, take this gun, Gilbert, and try your luck next," said Congreve.
"I suppose he will eclipse us all," Philip remarked, with a sneer.
"I don't know about that," returned Harry, good-naturedly. "I haven'tbeen out many times, not having any gun of my own."
"Look out that you don't shoot either of us," said Philip.
"I am not after such game as that," said Harry.
He took the gun, and began to look attentively in different directions, lest any chance should escape him. At length he espied a partridge. Heraised his gun quickly, took instant but accurate aim, and fired. Thebird was seen to flutter an instant and then fall.
"You've got him!" exclaimed Congreve, excitedly.
Harry ran in the direction of the bird's fall, and returned, flushedwith success. Philip's envy was aroused, inasmuch as a partridge was amore valuable prize than a crow.
"You were lucky," he said, with his usual sneer. "It was fortunate foryou that the bird got in the way."
"Rather unfortunate for the partridge, though!" said Harry, coolly.
"It wouldn't happen once in fifty times," continued Philip.
"This isn't the first partridge I've shot," answered Harry, quietly.
"Oh, I don't doubt you're a first-class gunner."
"I have great doubts on that subject myself," said Harry.
"You've both of you succeeded, while I shall have to go homeempty-handed," said Congreve, who had no particular ambition to shine asa sportsman.
"You'll have a chance soon to try again," said Harry.
By this time they had penetrated a considerable distance into the wood, and Philip grew impatient to carry out the plan which, from the first, they had had in view.
"Isn't it about time?" he asked, significantly.
"Just as you say," replied Congreve, indifferently.
As he spoke he drew from his pocket a ball of strong cord, and bothboys – if Congreve can be called one – looked significantly at our hero.
"What's coming?" thought Harry, perplexed.
He found out soon enough.
CHAPTER XIV
WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD
"I have a little matter of business with you, Gilbert," said Congreve.
"Business!" repeated Harry, looking from James Congreve, with his cool, deliberate manner, to the face of his companion, who was openlyexultant. "I don't understand you."
"You'll understand better in five minutes," said Philip.
"I hope so, for I am quite in the dark now."
"The fact is, Gilbert," commenced Congreve, in the cool, deliberate tonehabitual to him – for he seldom allowed himself to get excited – "myfriend Philip, here, feels that you have treated him badly – "
"Outrageously!" interrupted Philip.
"Very well; let us say outrageously."
"In what way have I treated him outrageously?" demanded Harry, undauntedly.
"Plenty of times," answered Philip, excitedly. "Didn't you attack me inthe berry pasture?"
"Yes, and you know why. You were abusing two young children."
"It was none of your business," said Philip, shortly.
"It will always be my business," said Harry, boldly, "when I see a largebully abusing two unoffending children."
"Quite a modern Don Quixote, upon my word," said Congreve, but not inthe sneering tone Philip was accustomed to adopt.
He never sneered, and never showed excitement, but he was none the lessdangerous on that account.
"Don Quixote was a gentleman, though a foolish one," returned Harry, whounderstood the allusion.
"That is where he had the advantage of you," observed Philip.
"A very neat hit, upon my word, Philip," said Congreve. "Really, you areimproving."
Philip was flattered by this compliment, and looked as if he had quiteoverwhelmed Harry with his sarcasm.
"However," continued Congreve, "we had better proceed to business.
Philip feels aggrieved, and he expects satisfaction."
"Are we to fight a duel?" thought Harry, who did not in the leastcomprehend what was coming.
"What sort of satisfaction?" he asked.
"You'll see!" said Philip, triumphantly.
Congreve, who was standing beside Harry, handed the ball of cord to
Philip, saying:
"I will hold him, while you tie his hands and feet."
"What!" exclaimed Harry, starting.
"We propose to tie you hand and foot and leave you here," said Congreve, coolly. "It will subject you to some inconvenience, and you may have toremain here all night; but it will teach you not to interfere with myfriend Philip again."
"Is that what you invited me to come out here for?" asked Harry.
"Yes."
"Pretending to need my services as a guide?"
"My dear fellow, there was no pretense about that. We selected this woodas well adapted for our purpose, and, as I was not familiar with thelocality, I thought it best for all reasons to hire you to guide me."
"So I have walked into a trap, and lost my time in the bargain," said
Harry, bitterly.
"Oh, no; you haven't lost your time. I agreed to pay you fifty cents, didn't I?"
"Yes."
"Well, here it is. I generally fulfil my contracts."
Congreve drew from his pocket two silver quarters, and handed them to
Harry with a bow.
"That's right, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yes," said Harry, mentally deciding that James Congreve was thequeerest fellow he had ever met.
"Good! You can't complain of any violation of contract. Now, will youremain quiet while I tie you, or must we use force?"
"Wait a minute!" said Harry, deciding to try the effect of an appeal toCongreve, who appeared to have some sense of honor. "I think you don'tunderstand what passed between Philip and myself. Let me explain."
"No, thank you. It would only be wasting your time," said Congreve, witha languid wave of his hand. "I quite understand that Philip here wasplaying the bully – "
"What! Do you mean to insult me?" asked Philip, hastily.
"Oh, no; I am only stating facts. Philip, then, was bullying twochildren, when you stepped in and knocked him down."
"I deny it!" said Philip, flushing.
"Then where's the injury you want satisfaction for?" asked Congreve.
"Do you take the part of a bully, then?" asked Harry, puzzled.
"Yes; for the bully happens to be my friend, and I stand by my friends, right or wrong. Accordingly, I propose to leave you here, tied hand andfoot, for a few hours, or until you succeed in getting loose. It will besoothing to the feelings of my friend Philip, and will give you time toreflect upon your mistake in attacking the son of a rich man."
"But," urged Harry, "I might have to stay here all night!"
"Quite possible! Fortunately, however, there are no wild beasts prowlingabout in this forest, and you won't incur any danger."
"But my mother will be worried about me."
"I am sorry for that, but it won't be for long."
Harry started to run, feeling that he must avoid the fate thatthreatened him, if possible; but Congreve overtook him almost instantly, and, passing his lithe, strong arms around him, pinioned him so firmlythat he could not escape. He was several inches taller than our hero, and, naturally, much stronger.
"Now, Philip," he said.
Philip advanced to tie Harry, but the latter, feeling that resistancewas useless, turning to Congreve, said:
"If I must be tied, you may do it. I won't resist."
"Come, that's sensible," said Congreve, and proceeded to tie Harry handand foot, as he had proposed.
When the task was completed he took him up and set him down in such away that he could lean his back against a tree.
"That will do," he said. "If you don't get free before, I will cometo-morrow morning and release you."
"I would like to give him a licking now!" growled Philip,
"That would be cowardly," said Congreve. "Come away and leave him."
Rather reluctantly, for he wanted to stay and triumph over his helplessrival, Philip followed his companion out of the wood.