At a word from Hal, Chester
slowed down, for they didn't want to catch Stubbs too easily.
"Let him run himself out," Hal said.
And that was what the little man was doing. His tongue was literally
hanging out as Hal and Chester continued to gain slowly. He was puffing
like a locomotive and his arms were working like pistons. Once or twice
he staggered and it seemed to him that he could not run another step. But
he set his teeth and plodded on.
"I've got to get away," he told himself. "There is no knowing what these
young ruffians will do to me."
In vain he tried to increase his pace. It could not be done. Every step
cost him an effort and it seemed that he could not take another. He
waddled crazily from one side to the other; and at last he came to a
stop, and with what strength remained, he faced his pursuers and threw up
his hands in an attitude of defense.
At arm's length, Hal and Chester came to a pause.
"So we have you at last, eh!" said the former.
"You--you keep a-away from me," gasped Stubbs, panting for breath. "I
don't want to have any tro--trouble with you."
"Perhaps not, Mr. Stubbs," said Chester, "but we want to have a little
trouble with you.
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