“Now then, my fine fellow, that will teach you to be a little more cautious. You are too great a coward to hit one of your own size.” Once more the man regained his feet, but it was evident enough from his staggering that he had been seriously injured. Wild with fury at being mastered by so insignificant-looking man as Peace, he rushed forward to annihilate if possible his active and cunning adversary. He let fly with his right and left, but Peace was far too artful to allow him to get within reach; he again sprang back and, whirling round the stick he carried, he delivered a terrific blow therewith on the countryman’s right temple. Peace’s dog “Gip” now sprang at the man and laid hold of one of his legs. The countryman cried out “Murder!” several times. “Call yer dog off――call him off! It bean’t fair.” “If you’ve had enough I’ll call him off,” said Peace. “Call him off then. Drat it, he’s got hold of my leg. Do’ee call him off.” Peace did as he was bid. Then, panting, bleeding, and fairly cowed, the village athlete stood for awhile humiliated and crestfallen. “You’ve brought this on yourself, my fine fellow,” said our hero. “You’re a big strapping chap, but you see size and strength aint everything. Take my advice, and think twice before you commit an assault upon those who have never done you any harm, and with whom you have no just and reasonable excuse for quarrelling.” “Didn’t you meet Nell in the lane? Answer me that.” “I am not bound to answer every fool’s question,” returned Peace. “What if I did meet a young woman in the lane, or anywhere else for the matter of that, am I to be called to account by a fellow like you? You must be little better than a born idiot to suppose such a thing for a moment.” “I’ll ha’ it oot wi’ ’ee some other time.” “Will you?” “Yes, I will.” “Look here, my friend,” said Peace, “you may think yourself lucky in being let off so easily this time. The next time you attempt to lay hands on me I’ll put a bullet in your brain. I’m in earnest, and mean what I say. I will shoot you if you endeavour to again assault me. So now beware.” The man rubbed his eyes and looked hard at the speaker. “Do you comprehend?” inquired the latter. “I hear what you say.” Strongly built and muscular as he was, the countryman was by this time as weak as a rat; his knees seemed to give way under his weight, he felt giddy, and was fain to cling to the gate by the side of the road for support. He was fairly mastered. “Why, Giles, what be the matter wi’ ’ee?” inquired two young fellows, who had seen the affray three fields off, and who now arrived on the scene of action. “Has the little ’un bin too much for ’ee?” “He’s a devil, that what he be――a devil!” exclaimed Giles, nodding towards Peace.