THE RIOT 251 
trouble. I can make some allowance when I 
remember the bad whiskey that is in you, but 
you must get out of our way; the road is pub- 
lic and we have the right to use it.” 
«Not until you have paid toll,” said the Hun. 
«That’s the rooster who said we drank whis- 
key and didn’t work. He’s the fellow who 
would rob a poor man of his liberty,” came a 
voice in the crowd. 
«“ Knock his block off!” 
« Break his back!” 
«“ Let me at him,” and a score of other friendly 
offers came from the drunken crowd. 
Jack stood steadily looking at the ruffians, his 
blue eyes growing black with excitement and his 
hands clenched tightly in the pockets of his reefer. 
«Slowly, men, slowly,” said he. “If you 
want me, you may have me. There are ladies 
in the carriage; let them go on; I'll stay with 
you as long as you like. You are brave men, 
and you have no quarrel with ladies.” 
« Ladies, eh!” said the Hun, “ladies! I never 
saw anything but women. Let’s have a look at 
them, boys.” 
This speech was drunkenly approved, and the 
men pressed forward. Jack stood firm, his face 
was white, but his eyes flamed. 
“Stand off! There are good men who will 
die for those ladies, and it will go hard but bad 
men shall die first.” 
The Hun disregarded the warning. 
