It would be tedious, perhaps, to describe the events of the following week. But it showed considerable advance in certain lines with the colonists of the young republic. Rob worked every day at Deacon Cornhill’s, going home to Break o’ Day every night and returning in the morning. This made it harder for him, but he felt that he was needed to look after matters at home. This was made doubly important from the fact that Larry, Tom and Jerry, with the smaller boys, showed no disposition to begin work. Joe had bravely undertaken to spade up the ground to be planted, until Rob had requested her to stop. On Saturday, a day that will never be forgotten by the members of the young republic, Rob stayed at home to begin the garden, which needed attention. “Come, boys,” he said, cheerily, “lend a hand. The garden must be made ready to plant.” The others made no reply, Larry taking the shovel and following reluctantly. “I’ve found a place easier to dig,” he said, finally, as Rob approached the place where he had begun digging. Tom and Jerry were sulking in the background. “I think this is the best place,” replied Rob to Larry, who had already started to a sandbank a few rods away. Upon reaching this place Larry began work, his shovel sinking its length into the light earth. “Let’s see who can shovel the most,” said he. “It will do no good to work there,” replied Rob, who could see that a crisis was at hand. “I ain’t going to dig in that hard, rocky ground when there is sich easy stuff as this.” “But nothing’ll grow there,” said Rob. “Dr. Menter said so.” “I don’t keer what you nor Dr. Menter says, I reckon I’ll dig where I’m a mind to. Ye needn’t think, Rob Bayne, thet ye are going to boss me, fer ye ain’t, and the sooner ye know it the better.” Little Hickory bit his lip, and slowly approaching Larry said, in a low, firm tone: “I shall be sorry to have any trouble with you, Larry, and I’ve no wish to boss you, but I say ag’in it is no use to dig in that sand.” “I dig here or nowhere,” gritted Larry, glowering upon his companion fiercely. “I s’pose ye think ye are guv-ner here, and not one o’ us dare to yip. But I want ye to onderstand that I’m older and bigger’n ye, and that I hev got more backers ’n ye hev. Come, Tom, Jerry, Chick, Ruddy and Tony, and help me show Rob Bayne he ain’t guv’ner here, if he does feel so big. We’ll lick him or bu’st the guv’ment!” Larry threw aside his shovel, and as the other boys stepped quickly forward, he advanced swiftly toward Little Hickory with both fists doubled up and a dark, malignant scowl on his features. He showed in every look and action that he meant a bitter fight, which Ragged Rob had neither the inclination nor the opportunity to escape, however hazardous it might prove to him. CHAPTER XIX. A FIGHT TO THE FINISH.