"D'ye think I'm goin' to let a boy like you get the best of me ?" He clutched Ben by the arm, and seemed in a fair way to overcome opposition by superior strength, when a fortunate idea struck Ben.

In his vest pocket was a silver dollar, which had been taken at the store, but proving to be counterfeit, had been given to Ben by Mr.
Crawford as a curiosity.
This Ben extracted from his pocket, and flung out by the roadside.
"If you want it, you'll have to get out and get it," he said.
The tramp saw the coin glistening upon the ground, and had no suspicion of its not being genuine.

It was not much--only a dollar--but he was "dead broke," and it was worth picking up.

He had not expected that Ben had much, and so was not disappointed.
"Curse you!" he said, relinquishing his hold upon Ben.

"Why couldn't you give it to me instead of throwing it out there ?" "Because," answered Ben boldly, "I didn't want you to have it." "Get out and get it for me!" "I won't!" answered Ben firmly.
"Then stop the horse and give me a chance to get out." "I'll do that." Ben brought the horse to a halt, and his unwelcome passenger descended, much to his relief.