of the grammar class
just once, they might treat me better. But of course there is no use in
thinking of that, for there's no chance of it."

He strolled through the woods, his steps turning unconsciously in the
direction of the secret cave.

He had almost reached it, when he suddenly became aware of where he was,
and started to retrace his steps, fearing the boys would come out and
discover him there.

But scarcely had he turned when, to his amazement, he saw old Sim Kane
come rushing toward him from the direction of the cave.

The old man's face was pallid with excitement, and he was swinging his
long arms, and muttering and laughing to himself in a way that made
Davy's blood run cold.

"Sim! Sim! what's the matter?" he cried.

But the old man paid no attention to him, and not pausing to question
him again, but sure there was trouble of some sort at the cave, Davy ran
toward that secret retreat.

His ears soon told him what the trouble was. The great pile of brush
which concealed the entrance to the cave had been set on fire!

Terrible was the vengeance which the half-demented old man had taken on
his boyish persecutors.

Davy, with a loud cry of horror, and forgetting in that awful moment all
his own wrongs, seized a stout branch, and rushed upon the pile of brush
without a moment's hesitation.

The entire mouth of the cave was a mass of flame, and it was no easy
matter to scatter the burning brands, so intense was the heat.

But Davy fought the fire right and left, with a wild energy far beyond
his strength and years, and at last the mouth of the cave was clear,
and the fresh air could enter it again.

Then, exhausted, faint, and suffering most intense agony from a dozen
terrible burns, the brave boy sank to the ground.

At first he was scarcely conscious, but presently he became aware that
some one was bending over him, and opening his eyes, he saw Fred
Bassett's face, so full of pity, admiration and kindness that poor Davy
scarcely recognized it.

"We didn't deserve this good turn of you, Davy," said the boy. "But I
can't tell you how thankful we are to you. But for you we would have
been suffocated inside of ten minutes. It was that old Sim who set the
fire. We were busy at the back of the cave, making it deeper, and didn't
know anything about the fire until we heard the old man shout at us from
the window overhead. He was half mad with joy, and was just about to
light the brush on the window. H