The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"I don't want your two dollars," returned Harry, contemptuously.

Two dollars was not so large a sum in his eyes as it would have been theday previous, for in the last twenty-four hours he had earned, and wasconfident of receiving, a reward of two hundred and fifty dollars. Still, even if this had not been the case, he would have disdained tosell his assistance to Philip.

"The money will do you a great deal more good than my asking yourpardon," argued Philip.

"No, it won't. I am not very much in need of money, but I won't help aboy who has acted toward me as you have, unless you will apologize."

"Don't be a fool! Come and help me, and the money will be yours."

"It is no use, Philip; my mind is made up. Will you apologize?"

"No."

"Then, good-day! Give my respects to Mr. Temple when he returns."

So saying, Harry turned to leave the cabin, and Philip's heart sank indismay as he saw the only one from whom he could hope for help leavinghis presence.

"Hold on!" he called out. "I'll give you five dollars! I haven't got itwith me, but I can get it from my father. I'll hand it to youto-morrow."

Philip hated to humble his pride, and he would rather have paid fivedollars, even if it came out of his own pocket, than submit to such ahumiliation.

"Good-by, Philip," said Harry, resolutely.

"Are you really going to leave me? That's mean."

"You know the condition on which I'll help you."

"I'll give you ten dollars!" exclaimed Philip, desperately.

"Not a cent! I won't take a cent from you! Either I will help you orleave you here, but no money shall pass between us."

There was a calm resolution in Harry's tone which at last convinced

Philip that he was in earnest.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked, sullenly.

"That you are sorry for the mean trick you played on me, and ask mypardon."

"All right. Now untie me."

"You haven't said it."

"It's the same thing."

"I don't consider it so."

"Well, tell me what you want, then," said Philip, querulously.

"Repeat after me: 'I am sorry for the mean trick I played on you, and Ibeg your pardon.'"

Philip was perforce obliged to do as Harry required, and he repeated thewords, though with a very bad grace.

"That will do," said Harry. "Now I am satisfied."

He felt for his knife, but did not have it with him.

He therefore knelt down, and set to work to untie the knots in therope.

He succeeded at last, but not without considerable difficulty and theexpenditure of not a little time. At last he loosened the last knot, andsaid:

"Now you are free."

Philip jumped to his feet – for these were the last to be released – withan exclamation of satisfaction.

"Thank goodness!" he cried; "now I am free, and can leave this miserablehut!"

He looked up, and his hopefulness was succeeded by quick dismay.

There, in the doorway, scowling at the two boys, was the master of thecabin.

CHAPTER XXVII

THE ARREST

Philip's face changed suddenly, and he uttered an exclamation of dismay.

He really believed that his life was in danger.

"There he is!" he ejaculated, his eyes nearly starting out of his head.

Harry turned, and his glance, too, fell on the menacing face of theoutlaw. But his face did not reflect the terror so plainly to be seen onPhilip's. It should be remembered, however – for I do not wish to giveour hero more credit than he really deserves for his courage – that heknew help was near at hand, and Philip didn't.

Ralph Temple didn't speak at first. Then he looked from Philip to Harry, and demanded, savagely:

"Who released that boy?"

"I did," answered Harry, undaunted.

"How dared you do it!" again demanded Temple, in the same tone.

"I thought he must be uncomfortable."

Temple looked at him as if puzzled to account for his cool courage. Itwas evident that here was a boy who would not be easily scared.

"Did you know that I tied him?" asked Temple, fiercely.

"Yes."