"I don't know about no ropes." "They threw it out of the window, Ike," I cried.
"That's a lie," snarled the man.

"There ain't never been no ropes here." "There has been one," I cried, feeling bold now; "but they threw it out of the window." "Well, of all--" began one of the men, who had crossed the room with his companion to the big ruffian's side.
"You go on down, my lad," whispered Ike in a low deep voice.

"Go on, now." "But are you coming ?" I whispered back.
"You may depend on that," he said, as if to himself, "if they'll let me.
Go on." I moved towards the open door, when one of the men made a dash to stop me; but Ike threw put one leg, and he fell sprawling.

At the same moment my enemy made a rush at Ike, who stepped back, and then I saw his great fist fly out straight.

There was a dull, heavy sound, and the big ruffian stopped short, reeled, and then dropped down upon his hands and knees.
"Quick, boy, quick! You go first," whispered Ike, as I stopped as if paralysed; "I'll foller." His words roused me, and I ran out of the room..