in its boldness.

As he stood contemplating the thought which had occurred to him, his
guardian snarled:

"Don't stand there like a gawk! You've delayed my deliveries long
enough. Take those two baskets," and he pointed to two bulging packages
resting on the counter, "and deliver them. On your way back, as you
will pass the police station, you can stop in and get the basket you
left. But I'll make you pay for the groceries just the same. It will be
a good lesson for you."

If anything were needed to determine Bob to put his idea into action, it
was this command to go to the station, and he exclaimed:

"I won't go there to get your old basket! I won't pay for the groceries,
and I won't deliver your old orders! I am going to leave you. I won't
work for you another minute," and without giving his amazed guardian
time to say anything, Bob darted away to the room at the back of the
store, in which he had been accustomed to sleep.

The plan he had decided upon was to get his ten dollars and enough more
of the money his father had left him to pay his fare to some town in
Oklahoma, where he could begin his long-dreamed-of life on a ranch. He
would not be bothered with the packing of any clothes, for his guardian
had never allowed him any extra clothing, and he had nothing but the
suit upon his back; but he did have his money, and two letters which he
had hidden under a board in the floor that he had fixed so that he could
take it up and put it back whenever he wished.

In the fear that his guardian might follow him to the room and discover
him as he was procuring his money, Bob worked with feverish haste to
lift the board, and so excited was he that it seemed as though he could
never raise it. But at last he did so, secured possession of his
treasures, and then put the board back, just as the grocer called to him
from the doorway:

"What are you doing? What do you mean by saying you won't deliver my
groceries and do what I tell you?"

Panting with excitement, Bob stood like some animal at bay, his eyes
flashing defiance, one hand tightly doubled up, the other clasping his
treasures in the pocket where he had thrust them.

"I mean I am going West. I won't be treated as you have treated me any
longer."

For a moment, as he heard the amazing announcement of his ward, Mr.
Dardus stood staring at him in silence, and then broke into a mocking
laugh.

"So you're going West, are you? That is a good one. Why, you couldn't