t."

"I must have it, and I want you to go with me. You may charge what you
please. Remember a boy's life may depend on it."

"Then you shall have it," said the farmer, "and I'll go with you. I took
a likin' to the boy. He was a gentleman, if ever I saw one; and my women
folks was mightily taken with him. Dick Hayden and Bob Stubbs are rough
kind of men, and I wouldn't trust any one I set store by in their hands.
But why----"

"Harness your horse, and I'll answer your questions on the way, Mr.
Stover."

"How do you know my name?" asked Stover, with sudden thought.

"I was told by some one as I came along."

The farmer lost no time in harnessing his horse, Achilles Henderson
lending a hand. The horse seemed rather alarmed, never having seen a
giant before, but soon got over his fright. The two men then jumped into
the wagon, and set out in search of Kit.

Meanwhile our hero had taken his way leisurely along the road. He didn't
anticipate being followed, at any rate so soon, and felt under no
particular apprehension. He had walked about three miles when a broad
branching elm tree tempted him to rest by its shade. He threw himself
down on the grass, and indulged in self congratulations upon his escape
from his captors. But his congratulation proved to be premature. After
a while he raised his eyes and looked carelessly back in the direction
from which he had come. What he saw startled him.

The two miners, Hayden and Stubbs, had lost no time on the way. They
were bent on capturing Kit, in order to revenge themselves upon him.

Reaching a little eminence in the road Dick Hayden caught sight of his
intended victim sitting under the tree.

His eyes gleamed with a wicked light.

"There's the kid, Stubbs!" he said. "Stir your stumps, old man, and
we'll collar him!"

The two miners started on a run, and when Kit caught sight of them they
were already within a few rods. The young acrobat saw that his only
safety, if indeed there was any chance at all, was in flight. He started
to his feet, and being fleet of limb gave them a good chase. But in the
end the superior strength and endurance of the men conquered. Flushed
and panting, Kit was compelled to stop. Hayden grasped him by the collar
with a look of wicked satisfaction.

"So I've got you, my fine chap, have I?"

"Yes, so it seems!" said Kit, his heart sinking.

"Sit down! I've got a few questions to ask."

There was a broad flat stone by the roadside. He se