"Then, Tom," said Jean, getting out of the cart and advancing deliberately, "will you lend me your axe for a minute?" "Lend you my axe, you damned thief!" roared Tom, with a volley of curses. "I’ll lend it to you. Yes! Take that!" At the word Tom aimed a blow at Jean that would have split his head open, but that he, stepping nimbly aside, let the axe swing harmlessly by, and before Tom could recover, closed with him, wrenched the weapon from his hands and flung him violently to the ground. "Help, Paddy, help!" yelled Tom. "Kill him, Paddy! For the love of God, kill him, I say!" But Paddy had no stomach for a fight, and stood aside with mingled amazement and admiration as Jean, turning his back on both his enemies, began to cut the branches of the tree, close to the bark, with great rapidity, until finally he cut away the top and only the bare trunk remained to block the way. "Now, Paddy," said Jean, throwing down the axe, "if you will help me we’ll throw this log out of the way. There, take hold of that end. Now, Paddy, heave!" Paddy put forth all his strength, but could not lift the end of the log, while Jean lifted his end about three feet, and then let it drop. "What’s the matter, Paddy? Why don’t you lift?" "Cut it in two and I’ll lift my end," said Paddy. "Why, man, it weighs a ton at the very least." "A ton, Paddy, is that all? We can lift it, then. Come--another try." "Not for me," said Paddy, standing back. "I know what I can do." "Well," said Jean, "you surprise me, Paddy Brady. I am disappointed in you. But the log must go. Saint Jean to my aid. Watch me, Paddy." With that Jean bent down, his arms between his knees, his fingers gripping the log like a vice, and as he rose the log rose, slowly, steadily, until Jean stood erect holding the great trunk in his iron grip. Taking a long breath he put forth a mighty effort and lifted the log by the strength of his arms alone, inch by inch, until it reached the height of a man and rested for a moment on his shoulder. Then, taking hold lower down, Jean raised the log with ease until it stood upright, when, with a slight push, he sent it crashing down the cliff to the rocks below. "My God!" said Paddy, with a gasp. "What a lift! I feel as though all my bones were cracked. Jean Baptiste, my bully boy, it’s the strong man of the world you are. Give me your hand, man alive. From now on I’m your friend, and it’s sorry I am for what has happened. Forgive me, Jean, and Tom too. He meant you no harm." "Say nothing, Paddy," said Jean, with a smile. "I am well content to have a friend like you. But your cousin--I fear that I have hurt him. Tom, my friend, I was too rough and I am sorry. Forgive me." Tom Sullivan made no reply, but glared at his enemy like a wounded bear. "Tom," persisted Jean, "will you not let me drive you home? As to the contract, you shall have it. I will give it up."