Kit was startled at first, not having anticipated that the blacksmith would get upon his track so soon. But he was a boy of spirit, and had no thought of surrender. Mr. Bickford halted his horse, and Kit faced him.
"Didn't you find my note?" he asked.
"Yes, I did."
"Then you know that I don't care to work for you."[Pg 56]
"What's that got to do with it? Your uncle and me have settled that you shall."
"Then you'll have to unsettle it. I have a right to choose my own occupation, and I don't intend to become a blacksmith. Even if I did, I should choose some one else as my teacher."
"None of your impudence3, young man! You'll have a long account to settle with me, I warn you of that."
"I had but one account to settle—for my board and lodging—and I've attended to that. Good morning, Mr. Bickford."
Kit turned and began to continue his journey.
"Hallo! Stop, I tell you!" shouted the blacksmith.
"Have you got any more to say? If so, I'll listen."
"What more I have to say, I shall say with a horsewhip!" retorted Bickford, grimly, preparing to descend4 from his wagon5.
"Come, William, we must run for it," said Kit. "Are you good at running?"
By the time Aaron Bickford was out of his wagon, the boys had increased the distance between them by several rods.
"Oho, so that's your game, is it?" said the blacksmith. "If I don't overhaul7 them, my name isn't Aaron Bickford."
Kit was a good runner—quite as good as his pursuer—but he had one serious disadvantage. His valise was heavy, and materially affected8 his speed. He had carried it several miles, and though he had shifted it from one hand to the other, both arms were now tired.[Pg 57]
"Let me take it, Kit," said his companion, who was now on intimate terms with him.
"It'll be just as heavy for you as for me."
"Never mind! He isn't after me."
"Well, if you don't mind carrying it a little while."
The advantage of the change was soon apparent. Kit increased his speed, and William, whose arms were not tired, was not materially retarded9 by his burden.
"If I had no valise I would climb a tree," said Kit, while running. "I don't believe Mr. Bickford is good at climbing."
"We haven't got far to go to reach the circus tents," returned William.
But though the boys held out well, Aaron Bickford gradually gained upon them. Many years at the anvil10 had given him plenty of wind and endurance. Besides, he was entirely11 fresh, not having taken a long walk already, as the boys had done.
"You'd better give up!" he cried out, in the tone of one who was sure of victory. "It takes more than a boy like you to get the best of Aaron Bickford."
It did indeed seem as if the boys must surrender. Within a few rods Bickford would be even with them.
Kit came to a sudden determination.
"Jump over the fence!" he cried.
There was a rail fence skirting one side of the road.
No sooner said than done. Both boys clambered over the fence, and with that barrier between them faced the angry blacksmith.
"Well, I've got you!" he cried, panting.
"Have you? I don't see it," answered Kit.
"You might as well give up fust as last."
"Suppose we discuss matters a little, Mr. Bick[Pg 58]ford," said Kit, calmly. "What right have you to pursue me?"
"What right? Your uncle's given me the charge of you."
"That is something he had no right to do."
"No."
"Who is, then?"
"I have no guardian but myself."
"That's a likely story. I can't listen to no such foolish talk."
Aaron Bickford felt that it was time to move upon the enemy's entrenchments, and, putting one leg on the lower rail, he proceeded to climb over the fence.
But the boys had anticipated this move, and were prepared for it. By the time the blacksmith was inside the field, the boys, who were considerably13 lighter14 and more active, had crossed to the reverse side.
"Here we are again, Mr. Bickford," said William Morris.
The blacksmith frowned.
"Don't you be impudent15, Bill Morris," he said. "I haven't anything to do with you, but I sha'n't let you sass me."
"What have I said that's out of the way?" asked William.
"Oh, you're mighty16 innocent, you are! You're aidin' and abettin' Kit Watson to escape from me, his lawful17 master."
"I have no master, Mr. Bickford," said Kit, proudly.
"Well, that's what they used to call 'em when I was a boy. Boys weren't so pert and impudent in them days."
Meanwhile the blacksmith was recrossing the fence.[Pg 59]
Kit and William took the opportunity to run, and by the time Mr. Bickford was again on the roadside they were several rods away.
This naturally exasperated18 the blacksmith, who felt mortified19 at his failure to overtake the youngsters. A new idea occurred to him.
"How?" inquired William.
"Just help me catch that boy Kit, and I'll give you ten cents."
"I don't care to earn money that way, Mr. Bickford," responded William, scornfully.
"Good for you, William!" exclaimed Kit.
"You won't earn ten cents any easier," persisted Bickford.
"I wouldn't do such a mean thing for a dollar, nor five dollars," replied William. "Kit's a friend of mine, and I'm going to stand by him."
The blacksmith was made angry by this persistent21 refusal. Then again he was faint and uncomfortable from having missed his breakfast, which seemed likely to be indefinitely postponed22.
"I'll lick you, Bill Morris, as well as Kit, when I catch you," he said.
"Probably you will—when you catch me!" retorted William, in an aggravating23 tone. "Run faster, Kit."
The boys ran, but again they were impeded24 by the heavy valise, and slowly but surely the blacksmith was gaining upon them.
Kit, who was again carrying the burden, began to show signs of distress25, and dropped behind his companion.
Aaron Bickford heard these words, and they impelled28 him to extra exertion29. At last he caught up and grasped Kit by the collar.
"I've got ye at last!" he cried, triumphantly30.
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1
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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2
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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3
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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4
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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5
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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6
laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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7
overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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8
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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9
retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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10
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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11
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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12
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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13
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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14
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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15
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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16
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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17
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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18
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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19
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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20
dime
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| n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角 | |
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21
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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22
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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23
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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24
impeded
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| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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26
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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27
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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28
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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