CHAFrER VII r. 



HE story of the accident was soon spread 



abroad over the farm, and was commented 



on by all the animals ; but the general 



opinion seemed to be that there would be 



one person less to abuse them — for a w^hile anyhow. 



" I'm sorry Tom wasn't fixed somehow so that he 

 couldn't get out here to beat us," said the cow. 



"I don't like that w^ay of doing," said Dobbin to 

 Dick. "You went too far in that matter. Of course 

 everybody will know now that you were playing off, 

 and they may see through the whole thing, and that 

 will result in more violence." 



"Well, what is done can't be undone," said Dick, 

 my temper got away with me, and I was tired of sham- 

 ming. If I had been really lame Shane would have 

 driven me just the same. I was lame for all he knew 

 to the contrary, and when he whipped me I started to 

 run before I had time to think. I knew I might as 

 well make a complete job of it while I was at it ; for 

 Shane would know I was shamming anyhow, and I 

 would have to fight it out with him sometime. You 

 see, I had put myself in a position where I had to fight 

 or surrender, and I preferred to fight," '^ 



