Astonished and alarmed, I sprang up to see what was the matter.  As I did so I received a stinging blow on the side of the head, and the next instant was dragged rudely from the carriage.

CHAPTER III

 The models

I had been taken completely off my guard, but by instinct I tried to ward off my assailants.  My effort was a useless one.  In a trice I found myself on the ground, surrounded by half a dozen of the fastest young men to be found in Darbyville.

Prominent among them was Duncan Woodward, and I rightfully guessed that it was he who had organized the attack.

“Take it easy, Strong,” exclaimed a fellow named Moran, “unless you want to be all broke up.”

“What do you mean by treating me in this way?” I cried indignantly.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” said Phillips, another of the young men.  “Come, stop your struggling.”

“I’ll do nothing of the kind.  You have no right to molest me.”

“Pooh!” sniffed Duncan.  “The Models have a right to do anything.”

“The Models?” I queried, in perplexity.  “Who are they?”

“The Models are a band of young gentlemen organized for the purpose of social enjoyment and to teach cads lessons that they are not likely to forget,” replied Moran.

“I suppose you are the members,” I said, surveying the half-dozen.

“We have that honor,” rejoined a boy named Barton, who had not yet spoken.

“And we intend to teach you a lesson,” added Pultzer, a short, stout chap, whose father had once been a butcher.

“What for?”

“For your unwarranted attack upon our illustrious president.”

“Your president?  You mean Duncan?”

“Mr. Woodward, if you please,” interrupted Duncan, loftily.  “I won’t have such a low-bred fellow as you calling me by my first name.”

“I’m no lower bred than you are,” I retorted.

“Come, none of that!"cried Moran.  “We all know you well.  We shall at once proceed to teach you a lesson.”

I could not help smile—­ the whole affair seemed so ridiculous that had it not been for the rough handling I had received when pulled from the carriage, I would have considered it a joke.

“You’ll find it no laughing matter,” said Duncan, savagely, angry, no doubt, because I did not show more signs of fear.  “Just wait till we are through with you.  You’ll grin on the other side of your face.”

“What do you intend to do with me?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

I began to think the affair might be more serious than I had imagined.  Six to one was heavy odds, and who could tell what these wild fellows would not do?

“I want you to let me go at once,” I said decidedly.  “If you don’t, it will be the worse for you.”

“Not a bit of it.  We intend that you shall remember this occasion as long as you live,” returned Moran.  “Come, march along with us.”