CHAP. IX.—THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE
WILDERNESS.

nC yERCOME evil with good,” Stephen thought
to himself, as he came out of school the
next day. “Iam sure that is very hard. I
think I am ‘ overcome of evil’ much more.”

And as he was thinking this, the very
person whose conduct had suggested the
thought to him stood at his side.

“Stephen,” said Ned Rice in a low tone,
but with a broad smile on his face, “I want a
word with you.”

“JT don’t want any with you,” retorted
Stephen, frowning. “I'll have nothing to do
with you.”

“Better not say that,” returned the other.
““We know what we know—eh, Stephen? We
don’t want to get our dear brother into trouble.
We'll have a little chat now, won’t we?”

Angry as he felt, Stephen dared not refuse,
but walked off by his tormentor’s side.