PUNISHING THE DELINQUENTS 173 



Jem, turning his horse, met the party in full career ; 

 but, in aiming a desperate blow at Jumper, he over- 

 balanced himself, and fell from his horse, which galloped 

 away. Nowise disconcerted, and savagely bent on 

 revenge, Jem pursued the delinquents on foot, when the 

 farmer's wife, throwing open the gate 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 affrighted animal, now 

 brought to bay, and with double thong in hand, felled 

 Jumper 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 relaxed 

 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 remember goat- 

 hunting to the end of their Uves." 



The yelling that ensued no pen can describe ; and a 

 fierce bull, which occupied the next compartment, 

 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 often before experienced the 

 difficulty of mounting his high horse, was sitting, the 

 picture of despair, in his saddle, with his back to the 



