Mike Murphy was never more in his life.  
“He oughter said good-bye before he took that dive,” exclaimed the youth, who was not the one to stand idle when a companion, even one whom he did not fancy, was in danger. Mike’s was roused, and with no thought of the consequences to himself, he ran to the help of the other lad. His shillaleh was firmly grasped in his left hand, and held ready for instant use, for nothing seemed more probable than that the weapon would be quickly needed.
 
Mike was sure that if he imitated Hoke, he would be seized in the same way. He therefore hurried lightly to the opposite side of the pile, where as silently as he could, he thrust the toe of his shoe into the between the lower logs, gave a spring, 137caught hold of the upper tier, and drew himself upward.
 
Buzby Biggs, one of the tramps whom we have met, was sitting on the ground inside the crude cabin and punching his stubby into the bowl of his corncob pipe, with a view of the tobacco and making it ready to light, when the sound of voices outside caused him to suspend operations. He rose to his feet, intending to peep through a small opening of which he knew when he heard the scratching made by Hoke’s shoes as he climbed the low wall. Angered by the intrusion upon his privacy, he waited until the head of the lad rose to view, when he proceeded to act as has been described.
 
Hoke was too startled to make any outcry or resistance. The violence of his caused him to forward on his hands and knees and his hat fell off. He picked it up and replaced it on his head.
 
“What do yer mean by into a gentleman’s private residence without ringing the bell or sending in your card?” demanded Biggs, who finding himself 138confronted by only one lad, could feel no as to his own safety.
 
“Gee! I didn’t know you were here,” replied Hoke, alarmed over the strange situation in which he was caught.
 
“That don’t make no difference,” replied the hobo, who seemed to be trying to work himself into a passion; “yer showed yer ain’t used to perlite sassiety and I allers makes a feller pay for the privilege of coming into the castle of the Duke de Sassy.”
 
Poor Hoke was scared almost out of his wits. He began in his pockets.
 
“How much is the charge? I haven’t got more’n two or three dollars with me.”
 
“In that case, it will take all and that ere watch which I persoom is tied to t’other end of the chain in front.”
 
“Why that would be robbery!” exclaimed the lad, indignant at the .
 
“I wouldn’t call it that, younker; rayther it’s the yer hef to pay for crossin’ this bridge. So yer may as well shell out first as last.”
 
As Hoke stood, his back was against the side of the wooden wall over which he had just tumbled, with the tramp 139and , facing him. Thus, as will be , Biggs was on the side of the structure up which Mike Murphy had climbed so silently that no one heard him. Hoke in fact began to rally from his panic and was on the point of shouting for help when he saw the end of Mike’s buckthorn , gripped in his left hand, slide up into view, instantly followed by the hat and red, of the Irish youth, who remained motionless for a moment, while he peered at the curious picture below him.
 
Before Hoke could utter the glad words on his tongue, Mike shook his head as a warning for him to hold his peace. The other caught on and did not look directly at his friend, but straight into the face of the tousled scamp. Mike was so clearly in his field of vision that Hoke saw every movement and even the expression of the face which was never more welcome.
 
The next instant one knee of Mike rested on the topmost log, then the foot slid over and he perched firmly on the top with his shillaleh transferred to his right hand.
 
The sight of his friend heartened Hoke.
 
“You can’t have my watch and chain, and I sha’n’t give you a penny! You have no more right here than I, and you daresen’t lay a hand on me.”
 
“What’s that? what’s that?” demanded the other, taking a step forward and thrusting out his ugly visage; “I guess it’s time I teached you something.”
 
“Aisy there, Misther Biggs; I think it’s mesilf will hev something to say ’bout this.”
 
The hobo whirled about and confronted the Irish lad, seated on the top of the wall and grasping his heavy cane.
 
“Where did yer come from?” the tramp, who ought not to have been frightened by the presence of two sturdy youths.
 
Mike made the Boy .
 
“From Tipperary, county of Tipperary, Ireland. Would ye be kind enough to exchange cards wid me?” and he pretended to search in his pocket for that which he never carried. “Clarence, me noble friend,” added Mike, addressing Hoke Butler, “ye may as well withdraw from this residence, as me friends used to say when laving our at home.”
 
Hoke was instant to seize the opportunity thus presented. He clambered up the logs with the of a monkey, scooted over the wall, dropped to the ground and then made off at the highest of his speed. He did not seem to think he was deserting a friend in and after that friend had been quick to rush to his relief.
 
A glance behind told Mike the truth, whereat he was , though he did not show it by his manner. It was not so bad, however, as at first appeared. Hoke had run only a little way when the of what he was doing halted him as as he had started.
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