feller who'd let
another only half his size back him down same's you did last night."

[Illustration: JIP COLLINS AND THE BOYS FROM BROOKLYN. _Page_ 34.]

"If you ain't scared, what are you makin' a row 'bout now? We 'greed to
put a fire here so's to singe Seth an' Dan a little."

"Yes, I agreed to that much; but I don't count on killing 'em."

"Neither do I."

"But how can you help it if you build the fire right close to the door,
when there's no other way for 'em to get out?"

"Don't you s'pose they've got sense enough to wake up before the thing
gets too far along?"

"I've heard of folks bein' smothered to death while they was asleep, an'
I ain't in this game if that's the way you're goin' to work it."

"Then back out if you're scared, an' I'll do it."

Without paying any further attention to his companions, Jip made his way
to the rear of the carpenter's shop, where he knew would be found an
ample supply of light wood and shavings, and when he returned, his arms
filled with the inflammable material, neither of his friends from
Brooklyn could be seen.

CHAPTER III.

JIP'S REVENGE.

If Jip Collins had not accused the Brooklyn boys of being afraid, it is
doubtful if he would have dared to set fire to the shed.

Now it seemed to him as if he must carry out the proposed crime, or set
himself down as a coward, and because of being deficient in bravery his
one fear was lest such fact should be generally known.

He was on the spot; the materials for kindling a blaze were in his arms,
and it appeared at that moment to him as if it was absolutely necessary
he should perform what he had so often threatened without really
intending to do.

The shavings and light wood were laid at the door of the shed. Jip was
careful not to place them in such a manner as would be best calculated
to produce the fiercest blaze; but dropped them without heed, as if
saying to himself that chance should decide whether the building caught
fire or not.

He drew several matches from his pocket, and looked around
apprehensively, hearing in every noise the footsteps of an officer
coming to drag him to prison.

After thus hesitating several moments he understood beyond a
peradventure that he was alone--that nothing save his own conscience
prevented him from carrying into effect his plan of revenge.

It should be said that at this moment Jip failed to realize what might
be the consequences of such an act.

One of the Brookl