He was startled, and stopped, standing as though he had suddenly been changed into a statue, when he saw Wade Brooks seated in the standing-room. He seemed to think it was a ghost, for he could not see how it was possible for Wade to be in the boat with him when he had not seen him before. “Wade Brooks!” exclaimed Lon, when he had found his tongue. “That’s my name,” replied Wade, grasping his stick closely in his hand. “How came you here, Wade?” demanded Lon. “I guess you can tell better than I can.” “None of your lip; but answer my question,” said Lon, who had by this time recovered his self-possession. “I’m willing to answer the question, though it is not a very civil one,” replied Wade. “I went into the boat to sleep; and, when I woke, you were beating in the door of the cuddy: that’s all I know about it.” “I promised to give you a broken head if I ever saw you again, for what you said to Garlick;” and Lon made a dig at him. That stick flashed in the air, and Lon fell. CHAPTER VIII. THE BATTLE IN THE BOAT. Lon Trustleton may be excused for being astonished at the very remarkable conduct of Wade Brooks, who had never before lifted a finger against his persecutors. All of a sudden he had struck a blow which upset his foe as though he had been a baby. But Lon was not badly damaged, though he saw a numerous body of stars. He picked himself up; and, as he had plenty of pluck, he rushed upon the object of his wrath, intending to take the stick from him, and use it over his head. But Wade was not asleep; and he was prepared for his assailant. Before Lon could get hold of him or the stick, another blow fell on his head, and he staggered back towards the cuddy. The second blow wilted him; and, though he was very angry, he found it necessary to be prudent. He stood by the door of the cuddy, with his fists doubled up, and his chest heaving with the fury of his rage, regarding his enemy with mingled astonishment and indignation. The noise of the encounter had waked Matt; and he crawled out of the cuddy to ascertain the cause of the tempest. If Lon had been surprised to see Wade Brooks in the boat, Matt was still more so. He could not realize how it was possible for him to be there, for he had seen him go up to his garret to bed the night before. Both Lon and himself had slept in the cuddy, and certainly the boy of all work had not been in the standing-room when he retired. A little reflection led him to the conclusion that Wade could not have been in the boat during the night. He thought he could explain it: a party had set out to pursue them, and Wade had followed the boat down the river on the shore, and had come on board of her in the morning. The water was very shallow where the boat was anchored, and he could have waded off to her. “Wade Brooks here!” exclaimed he, when he found a tongue. “Yes; and he has hit me twice over the head with that stick,” replied Lon, still eying the enemy with a savage gaze.