Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/290

Rh "Who are you?" asked the young heir of Wilhelmsburg angrily, "and how dare you say that to me?"

"I am Dolf Schmidt, and I always dare tell the truth," replied the stranger with a coolness which made the other more angry.

"Take that, then!" cried Conrad, striking at him fiercely.

"And take you that!" said the sturdy Dolf, calmly prostrating his enemy on the grass.

A moment after, a big hand lifted the brown-faced boy, shaking him as a dog shakes a rat.

Hubert had hurried back as Conrad fell, and seized Dolf in an iron grasp.

"Wretch!" cried the old huntsman, I 'll soon teach you how to treat your betters!" His heavy dog-whip swung threateningly in the air as he spoke.

Dolf looked at it, and set his teeth. He would not beg for mercy. He would not utter a cry or shed a tear.