PUNISHMENT OF THE DELINQUENTS. 243 



just at this critical juncture, the goat fled into the 

 stable, followed by the whole cry, and Jem at their 

 heels. Shutting the door, he placed himself 

 before the affiighted animal, now brought to bay, 

 and with double thong in hand, felled Jmnper and 

 Foreman with a crack upon their sconces, which 

 silenced them effectually. The others fell back in 

 dismay at the fall of their leaders ; but Jem re- 

 laxed not his efforts with whip and voice until the 

 whole lot stood abashed and confounded, yelling 

 with pain at Jem's furious onslaught. But Jem 

 was not yet satisfied, so he shouted to the farmer 

 through the window, " Get Master's whip, Mr. 

 Styles, and lend a hand here, for I'm a most tired 

 of the job." 



No sooner said than done ; when the farmer, 

 squeezing himself through the stable door, 

 tucked up his sleeves ready for action. 



" Now, sir," said Jem, *' when you're ready 

 we'll just give these warmints summat to re- 

 member goat-hunting to the end of their lives." 



The yelling that ensued no pen can describe ; 

 and a fierce bull, which occupied the next com- 

 partment, maddened by the uproar, broke loose 

 from his moorings, and Samson-like, making a rush 

 at the door, carried it post and all into the yard. 

 The old Squire (riding about sixteen stone), having 



R 2 



