254 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
knights be overpowered by numbers or become 
exhausted by slaying, —and they looked about 
for aid. Lars, remembering what Jarvis had 
said, urged the ladies to get into the carriage 
and be driven out of danger. They repelled his 
advice with scorn. Jane said: — 
“J won’t stir a step until the men can go 
with us!” 
Jessie said never a word, but she darted for- 
ward toward the fighting men, stooped, picked 
up a fallen club, and was back in an instant. 
Mounting quickly to the box, she said: — 
“JT can hold the horses. Don’t you think you 
can help the men, Lars?” | 
«I’d like to try, miss,” and the coachman’s 
coat was off in a trice and the club in his hand. 
He was none too soon! 
Jane, who had mounted the box with Jessie, 
cried, “ Look out, Jack!” just as a heavy stone 
crashed against the back of his head. Some brute 
in the crowd had sent it with all his force. The 
stone broke through the Derby hat and opened a 
wide gash in Jack’s scalp, and sent him to the 
ground with a thousand stars glittering before 
his eyes. Jane gave a sob and covered her eyes. 
Jessie swayed as though she would fall, but she 
never took her eyes from the fallen man; her lips 
moved, but she said. nothing; and her face was 
ghastly white. Jarvis heard the dull thud 
against Jack’s head and knew that he was fall- 
ing. Whirling swiftly, he stopped a savage 
