186 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



without incurring a charge of meanness. For I had 

 arrived with him, and was considered his chum ; and, 

 moreover, had let out the fact that I knew something of 

 the noble art of self-defence. In those days I could 

 floor my man if occasion required it. 



But I was much concerned for poor Finnock. I had 

 seen enough of Jeamy to perceive that, bully or no bully, 

 he could make himself a very ugly customer to a novice, 

 and knew a trick or two in the gentle science. Finnock, 

 so far from being a fighting man, I thought to be almost 

 without spirit. He disliked the sight of fire-arms, and never 

 used them ; nor would he kill any creature, even for food, 

 but always passed that unpleasant necessity to somebody 

 else — not the sort of man, one might well think, to prove 

 much of a fighter. But the unexpected often turns up ; 

 and quiet men are always dangerous when provoked. 



The next day was a Sunday, and all hands were 

 idlers. There was no respect paid to the day here, not 

 even by the Scots ; and the ecstasy of those who ex- 

 pected to see a pleasant spectacle is indescribable. It is 

 no exaggeration to say that the rascals were one and 

 all beside themselves with delight at the prospect of 

 seeing a set-to ; but not one of them believed that the 

 boss would stand a shadow of a chance against Fighting 

 Jeamy. It is inexplicable ; for Finnock was a decent 

 fellow, and no slave-driver, but not one of the men, 

 except the Chinese cook, seemed at all sorry that their 

 leader was about to be well whipped. I thought it my 

 duty to tell my man that I thought he had not any 

 chance against his antagonist ; for I did not like to see 

 him run the risk of being terribly mauled ; but he quietly 

 said, " Never fear, laddie. I've seen better men than him 

 knocked out. I'll be killed before I give in ; but if I'm 

 beaten I shall have to leave the camp." That was true 

 enousrh, without doubt ; for with such men a beaten boss 

 would have been a mere butt, and his daily life rendered 

 intolerable. 



