"Now," he said, "what have you to say for yourself? Why shouldn't I serve you in the same way?" "Spare me!" whined Stubbs, panic stricken. "I am the boy's friend. It was Hayden who wanted to hurt him." "My friend, I put very little confidence in what you say. Still I don't think you are as bad as this brute here. I will spare you on one condition." "What is it? Indeed, I will do anything you ask." "Then take this cowhide and give your companion a taste of its quality." Stubbs looked alarmed. "Don't ask me to do that," he said. "Me and Dick are pals." "Just as I supposed. In that case you require a dose of the same medicine," and Achilles made a threatening demonstration with the rawhide. "Don't do it," cried Stubbs, affrighted. "Then will you do as I say?" "Yes, yes." "Will you lay it on well?" "Yes," answered Stubbs, who, forced to choose between his own skin and Hayden's, was influenced by a regard for his own person. Dick Hayden listened to this conference with lowering brow. He did not think Stubbs would dare to hit him. But he was destined to find himself unpleasantly surprised. Stubbs took the hide from the hands of the giant, and anxious to conciliate his powerful antagonist laid it with emphasis on Hayden, already smarting from his former castigation. "I'll kill you for that, Bob Stubbs!" he yelled, almost frothing at the mouth with rage. "I had to do it, Dick!" said Stubbs, apologetically. "You heard what he said." "I don't care what he said. To spare your own miserable carcass, you struck your friend. But I am your friend no longer. I'll have it out of you!" "Come, Kit, you are revenged," said the giant. "Now let us hurry on to the circus. There's a team in the road below. I think I can make a bargain with Mr. Stover to carry us all the way." They found Mr. Stover waiting for them. "Well," he said, "how did you make out?" "Suppose you look back and see!" Stover did look, and to his amazement he saw Dick Hayden and Bob Stubbs rolling on the ground, each holding the other in a fierce embrace. Hayden had attacked Stubbs, and though the latter tried hard to avoid a combat he was forced into it. Then, finding himself pushed, he fought as well as he could. Fortune favored him, for Dick Hayden tripped, and in so doing sprained his ankle. He fell with a groan, and Stubbs, glad to escape, left him in haste, and made the best of his way home. It was not until several hours afterwards that Hayden was found by another party, and carried home, where he was confined for a fortnight. This was fortunate for Kit and the giant, for he had intended to make a formal complaint before a justice of the peace which might have resulted in the arrest and detention of one or both. But his sprained ankle gave him so much pain that it drove all other thoughts out of his head for the time being.