CHAPTER XLII 
THE RIOT 
Two days later the boys, returning from the 
city, were met by Jane and Jessie in the big 
carriage to be driven home. Halfway to Four 
Oaks the carriage suddenly halted, and a con- 
fused murmur of angry voices gave warning of 
trouble. Jack opened the door and stood upon 
the step. 
« Fifteen or twenty drunken miners block the 
way, — they are holding the horses,” said he. 
«Let me out; Ill soon clear the road,” said 
Jarvis, trying to force his way past Jack. 
«Sit still, Hercules; I am slower to wrath 
than you are. Let me talk to them,” and Jack 
took three or four steps forward, followed closely 
by Jarvis. 
« Well, men, what do you want? There is 
no good in stopping a carriage on the highroad.” 
« We want work and money and bread,” said 
a great bearded Hun who was nearest to Jack. 
«This is no way to get either. We have no 
work to offer, there is no bread in the carriage, 
and not much money. You are dead wrong in 
this business, and you are likely to get into 
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