256 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



this rate they would be used up completely 

 while there were still three or four of the enemy 

 on foot. This was when they needed aid, and 

 aid came. 



No sooner had Lars found himself at liberty 

 and with a club in his hands than he began to 

 use it with telling effect. He attacked the outer 

 circle, striking every head he could reach, and 

 such was his sprightliness that four men fell 

 headlong before the others became aware of 

 this attack from the rear. This diversion came 

 at the right moment, and proved effective. There 

 were now but six of the enemy in fighting condi- 

 tion, and these six were more demoralized by the 

 sudden and unknown element of a rear attack 

 than by the loss of their thirteen comrades. They 

 hesitated, and half turned to look, and two of 

 them fell under the blows of Jack and Jarvis. 

 As the rest turned to escape, the Swede's club 

 felled one, and the other three ran for dear life. 

 They did not escape, however, for the long legs 

 of the young men were after them. Young 

 blood is hot, and the savage fight that had been 

 forced upon these boys had aroused all that was 

 savage in them. In an instant they overtook 

 two of the fleeing men, but neither could strike 

 an enemy in the back. Throwing aside their 

 clubs, each seized his enemy by the shoulder, 

 turned him face to face and smote him sore, 

 each after his fashion. Then they laughed, took 

 hold of hands, and walked wearily back to the 



