The man hesitated, his eyes fixed on Festing’s hardset face.  Perhaps a way out might have been found, but the lad precipitated matters.  Running to the mouth of the burrow, he picked up a half-dead rabbit that was trying to crawl away, and leered at Festing as he raised his stick.  The blow was not struck, for Festing leaped across the grass and next moment the boy fell beside the burrow.  He was unhurt, but too surprised to move, because he had never seen anybody move as fast as the man who threw him down.

Then Festing heard steps behind, and turned in time to guard his head with his right arm.  It felt numb and he was half dazed by a shock of pain, but he struck savagely with his left hand and his knuckles jarred on bone.  The other’s stick dropped, and when they grappled Festing was relieved to feel his arm was not broken.  His muscles were hard and well trained, his blood was hot, and a struggle of the kind was not altogether a novelty.  When liquor is smuggled into a construction camp, a section boss must sometimes use physical force or relinquish his command.

He staggered and nearly fell as his leg was seized.  It looked as if the lad had come to his master’s help; but one could not be fastidious, and a savage backward kick got rid of the new antagonist.  The other was powerful and stubborn, and Festing spent a strenuous few minutes before he threw him into the sand beside the burrow.

“I’m pretty fresh and ready to start again if you are,” he said.  “Still I reckon you have had enough.”

The fellow got up scowling and told the lad to bring his bag.

“You’ll hear more about this,” he rejoined and slouched off.

Festing went back, and Helen started when he jumped across the ditch.  His jacket was torn, his lip was cut, and his face was bruised.  He looked dishevelled, but not at all embarrassed.  In fact, there was a gleam of half-humorous satisfaction in his eyes.

“The snares are all cut up,” he said.  “I broke the fellow’s stick and threw away the pegs.”

Helen felt a strange desire to laugh.  There was something ridiculous in his naive triumph, but she was not really amused.  In fact, her confused sensations were puzzling.

“Did you hurt him?” she asked.

“I hope so,” said Festing.  “I rather think I did and don’t expect he’ll come back while I’m about.  However, as I can’t come here as often as I’d like, it might be better to see your agent.  In the meantime, we’ll look for some mushrooms.”

“But don’t you want to bathe your face?”

“I forgot that I probably look the worse for wear,” said Festing, who wiped his cut lip.  “Still if I met your mother, she might get a shock, and now I come to think of it, I’m no doubt jarring you, so I’ll go off and see your agent if you’ll tell me where he lives.”

“It’s some distance, and we don’t do things so quickly here.  I must talk to my mother first.  Besides, the agent may not have got up.”