"No, I'll stop them in time. I want to get acquainted with Tom's methods of persuasion first." Tom's voice was rising in accents of wrath. "Joe, I'm a man o' peace--I'm a member o' the Brotherhood and you're my brother, but I'll tell ye right now we've got to have law and order in this community----" "And I say, Tom Mooney, there hain't no law exceptin' what's inside a man." "Yes, but how kin ye git any law inside a man ef he's always chuck full er licker?" "I don't drink to 'mount to nothin'," Joe protested. "Just a drop now an' then ter keep me in good health." "Wall, ef you try any more capers in that dinin'-room, your health's goin' ter break clean down--yer hear me?" Joe eyed Tom a moment and said with sharp emphasis: "I reckon I can take care o' myself, partner, without you settin' up nights to worry about me." "That's just the trouble, Joe, ye can't. You jined the Brotherhood, but yer faith's gettin' weak. I'm afeard you're onregenerate, conceived in sin an' brought forth in iniquity, an' ye ain't had no change er heart nohow." "Look here, what are ye drivin' at?" Joe asked, beginning to back away cautiously. "I just want ter strengthen yer faith, partner," Tom protested kindly as he advanced good-naturedly and laid his hand on Joe's arm. Joe shook it off and turned to go. With a sudden spring Tom was on him. A brief, fierce struggle ensued marked by low, savage growls like two bull-dogs clinched and searching for each other's throats. "Stop them! Stop them! They'll kill one another," pleaded Barbara. "No. It'll do them good. Wait," he replied, watching them breathlessly. "Here! Here, you old fool," growled Joe. "Do you call this the Brotherhood of Man?" "Yes, my son, and specially the Fatherhood er God. The Lord chastens them he loveth!" With a sudden twist the writhing figures fell in the sand, Tom on top pinning Joe down. Joe fought with fierce strength to rise but it was no use. Tom clutched his throat and choked him steadily into submission. "I'm er man o' peace, Joe," he repeated. "Yes, you are!" the bottom one growled. "But when I mingles with the unregenerate, my son, I trusts in God an' keeps my powder dry!" "Let me up, you old fool!" Joe growled. "Not yet, my son!" was the firm answer. "You'll get my dander up in a minute and some body's goin' ter git hurt," warned the prostrate figure. "Please make them quit," Barbara whispered tremblingly. "Nonsense. They're enjoying themselves," Norman softly laughed. "What are you tryin' ter do anyhow?" whined Joe. "I'm callin' a lost sinner to repentance," was the prompt answer. "Lemme up, I tell ye," Joe yelled, struggling with desperation. Tom choked him again into silence and seated himself comfortably across Joe's stomach. "Now, Joseph, my boy. I want you ter say over the catechism of the Brotherhood of Man. Hit'll freshen yer mind an' be good fer yer soul----" Another grim struggle interrupted the teacher.