Had I stopped to think I would not have spoken as I did. My remark made the young man furious, and I had hardly spoken before Duncan hit me a stinging blow on the forehead, and, springing upon me, bore me to the ground. CHAPTER II AN ASSAULT ON THE ROAD I knew Duncan Woodward would not hesitate to attack me. He was a much larger fellow than myself, and always ready to fight any one he thought he could whip. Yet I was not prepared for the sudden onslaught that had been made. Had I been, I might have parried his blow. But I did not intend to be subdued as easily as he imagined. The blow on my forehead pained not a little, and it made me mad "clear through." "Get off of me!" I cried, as Duncan brought his full weight down upon my chest. "Not much! Not until you promise to keep quiet about this affair," he replied. "If you don't get off, you'll be mighty sorry;" was my reply, as I squirmed around in an effort to throw him aside. Suddenly he caught me by the ear, and gave that member a twist that caused me to cry out with pain. "Now will you do as I say?" he demanded. "No" Again he caught my ear. But now I was ready for him. It was useless to try to shake him off. He was too heavy and powerful for that. So I brought a small, but effective weapon into play. The weapon was nothing more than a pin that held together a rent in my trousers made the day previous. Without hesitation I pulled it out and ran it a good half-inch into his leg. The yell he gave would have done credit to a wild Indian, and he bounded a distance of several feet. I was not slow to take advantage of this movement, and in an instant I was on my feet and several yards away. Duncan's rage knew no bounds. He was mad enough to "chew me up," and with a loud exclamation he sprang after me, aiming a blow at my head as he did so. I dodged his arm, and then, gathering myself together, landed my fist fairly and squarely upon the tip of his nose, a blow that knocked him off his feet and sent him rolling to the ground. To say that I was astonished at what I had done would not express my entire feelings. I was amazed, and could hardly credit my own eyesight. Yet there he lay, the blood flowing from the end of his nasal organ. He was completely knocked out, and I had done the deed. I did not fear for consequences. I felt justified in what I had done. But I wondered how Duncan would stand the punishment. With a look of intense bitterness on his face he rose slowly to his feet. The blood was running down his chin, and there were several stains upon his white collar and his shirt front. If a look could have crushed me I would have been instantly annihilated. "I'll fix you for that!" he roared. "Roger Strong, I'll get even with you, if it takes ten years!" "Do what you please, Duncan Woodward," I rejoined. "I don't fear you. Only beware how you address me in the future. You will get yourself into trouble."