Looking back over his shoulder, Carl saw that the tramp was but three feet behind, and almost able to lay his hand upon his shoulder.

He dodged dexterously, and in trying to do the same the tramp nearly fell to the ground.  Naturally, this did not sweeten his temper.

“I’ll half murder you when I get hold of you,” he growled, in a tone that bodied ill for Carl.

The latter began to pant, and felt that he could not hold out much longer.  Should he surrender at discretion?

“If some one would only come along,” was his inward aspiration.  “This man will take my money and beat me, too.”

As if in reply to his fervent prayer the small figure of Mr. Jennings appeared suddenly, rounding a curve in the road.

“Save me, save me, Mr. Jennings!” cried Carl, running up to the little man for protection.

“What is the matter?  Who is this fellow?” asked Mr. Jennings, in a deep voice for so small a man.

“That tramp wants to rob me.”

“Don’t trouble yourself!  He won’t do it,” said Jennings, calmly.

CHAPTER XIV.

Carl arrives in Milford.

The tramp stopped short, and eyed Carl’s small defender, first with curious surprise, and then with derision.

“Out of my way, you midget!” he cried, “or ’ll hurt you.”

“Try it!” said the little man, showing no sign of fear.

“Why, you’re no bigger than a kid.  I can upset you with one finger.”

He advanced contemptuously, and laid his hand on the shoulder of the dwarf.  In an instant Jennings had swung his flail-like arms, and before the tramp understood what was happening he was lying flat on his back, as much to Carl’s amazement as his own.

He leaped to his feet with an execration, and advanced again to the attack.  To be upset by such a pigmy was the height of mortification.

“I’m going to crush you, you mannikin!” he threatened.

Jennings put himself on guard.  Like many small men, he was very powerful, as his broad shoulders and sinewy arms would have made evident to a teacher of gymnastics.  He clearly understood that this opponent was in deadly earnest, and he put out all the strength which he possessed.  The result was that his large-framed antagonist went down once more, striking his head with a force that nearly stunned him.

It so happened that at this juncture reinforcements arrived.  A sheriff and his deputy drove up in an open buggy, and, on witnessing the encounter, halted their carriage and sprang to the ground.

“What is the matter, Mr. Jennings?” asked the sheriff, respectfully, for the little man was a person of importance in that vicinity.

“That gentleman is trying to extort a forced loan, Mr. Cunningham.”

“Ha! a footpad?”

“Yes.”

The sheriff sprang to the side of the tramp, who was trying to rise, and in a trice his wrists were confined by handcuffs.