The latter, turning at this unexpected attack, threw him off. He was alarmed at first, but when he saw that his assailant was only a boy he laughed harshly.
"You had better leave the room at once," said Gerald, undaunted. "If you don't——"
"Well, if I don't!" repeated the intruder, mockingly. "You'll make me, perhaps? Clear out of my way! Have you got a watch or money about your clothes?"
This last was addressed to Abel.
"Then be quick about it! Where are your clothes?"
"In the closet."
"Then get them, and don't waste any time about it."
"Don't do anything of the sort, Abel!" said Gerald. "This man shall not rob you!"
"Why, you impudent4 young rascal5!" exclaimed the intruder, fiercely. "I have a great mind to wring6 your neck!"
"I tell you once more to leave the house!"
This was too much for the irascible burglar. He seized Gerald, and, throwing him down, pressed his knee on his breast. Gerald struggled as well as he could, but he was only a boy, and his assailant was a strong man. What harm would have been done to him cannot be known. Abel, so far from helping7 him, stood by, trembling. Finally, in a paroxysm of fear, he ran from the room and locked himself in the small room which had been occupied by Gerald.
"Now what shall I do to you?" demanded the burglar between his closed teeth, glaring at his prostrate8 victim.
Gerald was not called upon to reply, for there was help at hand.
A tall, muscular figure, arrayed in night-costume, suddenly dashed into the room, seized the triumphant9 burglar, and, pulling him back with irresistible10 strength, threw him upon the floor with such force that he thought his back was broken.
Looking up he saw the blacksmith bending over him.
"What are you doing, you scoundrel?" he cried, apparently12 preparing for a second attack.
"I'm not a boy, and I'm more than a match for you!"
"Let me go!" said the other, beginning to find a retreat advisable.
"Not till I see who you are. Gerald, light the lamp; I want to take a look at this man's face."
The burglar struggled to rise, but he was as helpless in the grasp of the stalwart blacksmith as Gerald had been in his.
Gerald lighted the lamp and held it near the ill-favored countenance14 of the visitor.
"Aha, I know you!" said Alonzo Crane. "You are the man who broke into a store in Hillsdale last week. You got away from us then, but now I mean to have a settlement with you."
"Let me go this time and I won't take anything."
"I don't think you will. As long as I am round you'd find it a hard job to rob this house. You thought you had only boys to deal with, but I'm too large a boy for you to handle."
"If you don't let me go I'll fix you some day."
"That'll be day after to-morrow, I reckon. Gerald, do you know where there is a clothes-line?"
"Yes, Mr. Crane."
Gerald took the lamp, went down-stairs, and soon returned with the clothes-line.
Despite his desperate struggles the intruder was bound hand and foot. He almost foamed17 at the mouth in his ungovernable anger, but it did no good.
"Now," said the blacksmith, "I am going to put him in the closet and lock the door. If you don't mind, Gerald, I'll exchange rooms with you. I will sleep here, and you can go up to my room in the attic18. I think, my friend, you'll be safe till morning."
"This is Abel's room, Mr. Crane."
"And where is Abel?"
"I don't know. I think he went into the next room."
"Let him stay there! He is about as brave as a mouse. And hark you, Gerald, bring down my clothes. I have a revolver in my pocket that I may have occasion to use."
The ruffian was thoroughly19 cowed, and made no outcry when he was thrust into the closet.
It was remarkable20 that Mrs. Lane should have slept through all this disturbance21 without awaking, but she was a sound sleeper22. In the morning Gerald went out to summon assistance, and the burglar was conveyed to the lock-up, from which he was in the afternoon transferred to the county jail.
It appears that he had gained admittance to the house by climbing the lightning-rod to a balcony just outside the window of the large room occupied by Abel. The latter was so thoroughly frightened by the events of the night that he voluntarily proposed to return to the small bedroom, and Gerald was able again to occupy his own room. Mrs. Lane protested against the change, but Abel declared with emphasis that he would not again sleep in the large room.
"I wouldn't do it for a dollar a night!" he declared.
Gerald acquiesced23 in the new arrangement, and felt grateful to the burglar for having been the means of restoring to him his own room.
A little later than he anticipated Mr. Crane left Portville.
"Good-by, Melindy," he said. "I've enjoyed my visit, and the burglar made it more lively than I anticipated. When are you coming to Hillsdale to see us?"
"It is hard for me to get away, Alonzo. I have two boys to look after and I cannot well be spared."
"Come whenever it is convenient, then. I can't promise to make your visit as lively as mine has been, unless my friend the burglar manages to escape from jail."
"I will go with you to the cars, Mr. Crane," said Gerald.
"I wish you would," said the blacksmith, warmly. "If you ever find it in your way to come to Hillsdale, I will give you the best room in the house."
"Shall I bring Abel with me?" asked Gerald, smiling.
"I'm not at all particular about seein' him. You seem a good deal nearer to me than he does, even if he is a blood relation. When do you go to work?"
"On Monday."
"You won't stay in the grocery long—I'll predict that. If you ever have a notion of becomin' a blacksmith, I'll take you into my employ, and be glad to do it."
"I'll bear it in mind, Mr. Crane."
When the train had started and his new friend was fairly on his way home, Gerald could not help thinking soberly of his own unpromising future. If Mrs. Lane had been more like her brother, rough and uneducated as he was, he felt that he could like her better. He at least had a good heart.
On his way home he met Mr. Nugent.
"Good morning, Gerald," said the old gentleman, in a friendly tone. "Have you had any more exciting experiences?"
"Yes, sir. Last night our house was entered by a burglar."
"Indeed! That is something new for Portville. Did he take anything?"
"No; he was taken himself."
"Surely you were not a match for him?"
"No, sir; but Mr. Crane captured him, and he is now in the lock-up."
"Ah, yes; our good friend the blacksmith. He is a muscular man."
"He is going home happy with the check that you gave him."
"I was glad to be of service to him, as he in all probability saved my life. But I have not done anything for you. You must apply to me whenever you need assistance. Do you go into Mr. Tubbs's store on Monday?"
"Yes, sir."
"Come round next Saturday evening and tell me how you like it. I was your father's friend; I shall be glad if you will consider me yours."
"I shall be very glad to do so, Mr. Nugent," said Gerald, earnestly.
"Who was that you were talking with?" asked Abel, whom he met a minute later.
"Mr. Nugent."
"The rich man? Why didn't you introduce me?"
"I will some time if I have the opportunity."
"You are going to work Monday, ma tells me."
"Yes."
"She says a grocery store will be a good place for you."
"Would you like it?"
Gerald smiled. He had very little faith in Abel's ever being either.
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1
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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2
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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3
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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5
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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6
wring
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| n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭 | |
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7
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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8
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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9
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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11
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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12
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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13
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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14
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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15
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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16
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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17
foamed
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| 泡沫的 | |
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attic
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| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
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19
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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20
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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21
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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22
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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23
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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