"I said you stole Polskiddy Downs from the people. It had been common land from time immemorial, and you know it." And Ralph stared him straight in the eyes without flinching. "You took away the rights of the people, shut them out from their own, let the land that did not belong to you, and pocketed the profits." "Young man, I'll make you suffer for this insult," Sir John stammered, white with passion. "And God will make you suffer for this insult and wrong to us," Ralph replied, with flashing eyes. "Do you think that robbing the poor, and cheating honest people out of their rights, will go unpunished?" Sir John raised his riding-crop suddenly, and struck at Ralph with all his might. Ralph caught the crop in his hand, and wrenched it from his grasp, then deliberately broke it across his knee and flung the pieces from him. [Illustration: "SIR JOHN RAISED HIS HUNTING-CROP, AND STRUCK AT RALPH WITH ALL HIS MIGHT."] For several moments the squire seemed too astonished either to speak or move. In all his life before he had never been so insulted. He glowered at Ralph, and looked him up and down, but he did not go near him. He was no match for this young giant in physical strength. David seemed almost as much astonished as the squire. He looked at his son, but he did not open his lips. The squire recovered his voice after a few moments. "If I had been disposed to deal generously with you----" he began. "You never were so disposed," Ralph interposed bitingly. "You did your worst before you came. We understand now why you kept away so long. I wonder you are not ashamed to show your face here now." "Cannot you put a muzzle on this wild beast?" the squire said, turning to David. "He has not spoken to you very respectfully," David replied slowly, "but there's no denying the truth of much that he has said." "Indeed! Then let me tell you I am glad you will have to clear out of the parish." "You would have been glad if I could have been cleared out of the parish before the last election," David said insinuatingly. "I have never interfered with your politics since you came." "You had no right to; but you've intimidated a great many others, as everybody in the division knows." Sir John grew violently red again, and turned on his heel. He had meant to be conciliatory when he came, and to prove to David, if possible, that he had dealt by him very considerately, and even generously. But the tables had been turned on him unexpectedly, and he had been insulted to his face.