“Shet up, ye fool,” Jim shouted.  “I didn’t ask you to speak.”

“I know you didn’t,” the girl calmly returned, “but that doesn’t make any difference.  This is a free country, isn’t it?  We didn’t ask you to come here and make such a fuss, so you can go if you are not satisfied with our company.  We’re quite happy where we are.”

“But I’m not goin’ without that cuss,” and Jim looked savagely at the old man.  “You kin stay if ye want to with the guy who owns this cabin.  There’ll be a nice little story fer the gossips before long, ha, ha.”

At these words Jasper started, while his face went white and his hands clenched together.  He had listened in silence to Jim’s tirade, and was only waiting an opportunity to explain how the old man and the girl happened to be at his place.  But this pointed reference to him was more than he could endure.

“What do you mean by that statement?” he asked, taking a quick step forward.  “Please explain yourself.”

“There’s nothin’ to explain,” and Jim gave a coarse laugh.  “The neighbours will do all the explainin’ that is necessary.”

“No, that’s not the thing.  You made an insinuation, and it’s up to you to explain before you leave.  I have nothing to do with the neighbours; it’s you I am dealing with now.  Yon have insulted this feeble old man, and uttered words in reference to me and this girl.  I want to know what you mean.”

“I don’t have to explain anything,” Jim retorted.  “You mind yer own business, and go to ——­”

The oath had hardly left his lips ere Jasper with one lightning blow hit him squarely between the eyes.  Jim reeled back, and then with a frightful oath leaped forward.  But he was powerless before Jasper’s superior training and soon he was sprawling upon the ground while his opponent stood bending over him.

“Had enough, eh?” Jasper asked.  “If you want some more, get up.  I haven’t had half enough yet.”

“Leave me alone,” Jim mumbled.  “You’ll pay up for this.  I’ll fix ye.”

“What’s that you say?” and Jasper stooped lower, “You’re going to pay me back?  Well, then, I might as well fix you now, so you won’t be able to do anything in the future.  I might as well have my satisfaction when I can get it.  So get up, or I’ll knock the life out of your measley carcass.”

Seeing that Jasper was in earnest, Jim scrambled to his feet and barely dodged the blow rained at his head.

“Fer God’s sake, stop!” he yelled.  “I won’t do anything to ye.  I promise on me word of honour.”

“And, you’ll be good to this old man?” Jasper demanded.

“Yes, yes,” and Jim trembled in every limb.  “I’ll be good to him if ye don’t hit me agin.”

For a few seconds Jasper looked contemptuously upon the creature cowering before film.  He felt that he was lying, and just as soon as he was out of his sight he would treat old David in a shameful manner, and he himself would be helpless to interfere.  What could he do? he asked himself.  A sudden idea came into his mind.