"You call me a thief and a scoundrel, do you?" he said, flaming up in fierce wrath.
"Yes, I do," returned Hercules, eying him coolly.
"Why shouldn't I?" said Hercules, contemptuously. "Didn't you mean to rob this boy if I hadn't come along?"
"I will do it yet, but I have business with you first."
"Empty your pockets, and don't be long about it," said the tramp, approaching Hercules menacingly.
It had never occurred to Robert that the tramp would attempt anything so absurd as to attack the professional champion, whose name was famous for strength, and when he saw that such was his intention he laughed aloud in amazement.
"Don't crow, young rooster!" cried the tramp, angrily. "I'll tackle your friend first; your turn will come by and by."
"Oh, you want to have a tussle with me, do you?" said Hercules, eying the other with a smile of amusement.
"Yes, I'll finish you up in short order," said the tramp, boastfully.
"Don't be afraid, Hercules!" cried Robert, with a laugh.
"I'll try not to. So you want me to hand over my money, do you?" he said.
"Yes; and you'd better be quick about it, too," growled the tramp.
"Then I'll whip you till you can't stand."
"This is better than any circus I ever attended," said Robert, delighted.
"He'll think it's a circus before he gets through," said Hercules, significantly. "Well, my ill-looking friend, I must inform you in the outset that you are taking a good deal of trouble for a very little. My stock of money is very low."
"I don't care; you can hand over what you've got."
"I think I'll fight—a little friendly encounter. It's the custom to shake hands first; will you do it?"
The tramp extended his hand, which Hercules at once grasped with such an iron pressure that the tramp fairly danced and howled with pain, while the veins swelled upon his forehead.
"It's only a small lesson, my friend. Do you want my money now?"
"Who are you?" asked the tramp, with the addition of an oath.
"I am Hercules, the strong man. You made a mistake when you tackled me."
"Not quite yet. You need a further lesson."
So saying, Hercules seized the tramp suddenly, raised him aloft, threw him up in the air, and then hurled him to the distance of a couple of rods, where he lay stunned for a minute or two.