We caught hold of each other, and I gave him a grip that made him gasp. We broke away, and he looked at me, panting, and said: "What be ye, anyhow? You've got a hug like a black bear." "Oh, that's nothing. That's just a little love squeeze to show you how much I like you." "Well, come on again; I'll show you what wrestling is." He was not so strong as I, and I hustled him round in a lively way; but he knew a good deal about wrestling, and kept his feet well. We struggled for a while, and I squeezed him and shook him up, and then tried Jonas's pet throw. He went to the ground like a log, and lay there stunned. I was scared at first, for I thought I had killed him, but Jonas said: "He's all right, Ben. Just stand back, boys, and give him a little air." He came to in a short time, sat up, and after looking about him got up and said: "A likely lad! I should say so. A kind of mixture of bear, wildcat, and greased lightning. I must get out of this town quick, or you'll be setting some child at me, and I don't know what would happen." He jammed his hat on his head, took his coat and waistcoat under his arm, and hurried away. Of course, I got great credit and praise, for no one but Jonas knew that I was a first-class wrestler; and the men all felt proud to have another man in the town almost as good at it as Jonas. [Sidenote: BEN WARNED AGAINST FALSE PRIDE] Amos and Davy had been staring at me, open-mouthed. Both of them came up and shook hands with me in a most respectful manner. Father took me by the arm and walked home with me, giving me a lecture all the way on the vanity of foolish games and warning me to beware of a false pride in my strength. But when I had taken the basin, and was washing my face and hands by the back door, I could hear him telling mother about it, as jubilant as one of those old Hebrews over the fall of his enemies. Goodness! If I had displayed the vanity and false pride that he showed over me, I don't know what punishment he would not have given me. When I came in, he bottled himself up, and looked at me in a sad, reproving manner. But I knew he was as happy as a man could be. Mother did not like it, and I had to assure her again and again that I was not hurt. She began to talk about giving me some herb tea, and I got out of the house as quickly as possible. CHAPTER VII TALES FROM THE FRONTIER--MR. TYTHINGMAN AND HIS SERVICES This long war was a terrible strain on our Province. Some man from almost every family in town was with the army at Lake George. The value of our currency had fallen, and nearly one-half of what we earned and produced went to pay the heavy taxes. The Provinces did not work well together. There were rivalries and dissensions among them. The French were united, and their army was led by an able commander, the Marquis Montcalm. Our generals were mostly incompetent men who owed their positions to influence at court.