Had Jim McGovern taken another course when starting out on the war-path, he would not have met such overwhelming disaster, for he would have encountered Bob Budd returning from an experience hardly less stirring than his own; but the two followed different routes and did not see each other until they met in camp, after both had been through their experience and the night was well advanced.  
Reaching the highway, Dick mounted his bicycle and continued his journey homeward at an easy pace. There was a faint moon in the sky, and now and then the wind blew fitfully among the tree branches, but he was in good spirits. The words of the physician concerning his father encouraged him greatly, and he was happy over the unexpected manner in which he had recovered his bicycle. Mr. Hunter had notified him that day, that, on the first of the following month, his wages would be increased, and that so long as he showed the same devotion to his interests, he might count upon a yearly repetition of the favor.
 
“I’m luckier than I deserve,” he reflected, as he skimmed over the highway, “for I was able to attend school until I graduated, and Mr. Hunter, who was one of the trustees, told me that afternoon that he had had his eye on me for several years and wanted me. Well, I have tried to do as father and mother taught me when I was a little fellow, and I’ve no doubt that that’s the reason for it all. I can’t understand how any one can show the meanness of Bob Budd and those boys he has with him. There was no earthly excuse for stealing my bicycle—Hello! there’s some one in the road yonder.”
 
He was approaching a of trees where the shadows were so thick that he could not see distinctly, but he was certain he observed a figure step back as if to avoid being noticed.
 
Dick gently the brake to his wheel and hesitated whether to go on or not. He recalled that he had heard of robbery and attempts at burglary in the neighborhood within the past week. Indeed, there were signs discovered that very morning that proved an effort had been made to open one of the of Mr. Hunter’s store; but the marauders were scared off by the dog that was kept on duty every night.
 
Suppose one of these criminals had located himself alongside the road for the purpose of robbing passers-by!
 
“He wouldn’t get much from me” reflected Dick, who had less than a single dollar in change with him, “but, all the same, I don’t fancy being stopped by him. He might shoot me because of his disappointment. Maybe he thinks I am like some other clerks, who make a practice of robbing their employers.”
 
By this time the bicycle was hardly moving, the headway being just sufficient to enable him to keep his . He peered intently forward, ready to turn and speed down the road on the first sign of danger; but if a person was among the trees, he took good care to keep out of sight, and whether or not Dick was mistaken could be learned only by going forward.
 
He was thinking fast. If he wished to reach home, where his parents were expecting him, this was the only road, unless he went back to town and made a circuit of eight or ten miles, a not to be thought of when he was already within a half-mile of his own door.
 
True, he might adopt another method. He could return until beyond sight of the , whoever he was, leave his bicycle at the roadside, and then cut across lots on foot.
 
But Dick was a youth, and could not bear the thought of fleeing from danger whose nature he did not understand.
 
“No, I’ll go ahead,” he muttered, compressing his lips, as he removed the brake and began gradually increasing his speed. “If he stops me, why, there’ll be a fight, that’s all!”
 
His plan was to “put on all steam” and dash through the gloomy space, which was only a few rods in extent. By doing so he counted upon surprising any enemy that might be there and getting beyond his reach before he could interpose.
 
There was but one difficulty in the way. He had already approached so near the clump of trees that he could not well obtain the necessary speed. But he could try, and try he did.
 
The muscular legs bore down hard on the pedals, and the big wheel began increasing its swift revolutions, ............