Nathan Tarbox proceeded at once to the house of Constable Spriggins, and was lucky enough to find him at home. In fact, Mr. Spriggins was out in his back yard, splitting some kindlings for use the next morning. Sam Spriggins, who filled the high office of constable, was not a man of imposing appearance, he was about five feet eight inches in height, and had hair of a flaming red, and probably weighed about one hundred and forty pounds. It was somehow suspected that Mr. Spriggins was not a man of reckless bravery. He had never been employed to arrest desperate criminals, and lawbreakers were not accustomed to quail before his glance. In fact, Sam was more likely to be the one to quail. Why he had been appointed constable was not very clear, but probably it came about because no one else wanted the office. "Good evening, Mr. Tarbox," said the constable, desisting from his employment. "Good evenin'. I've got some work for you to do." "What is it?" "I want you to make an arrest." "Who's the party?" asked Sam, in a tone which betrayed some apprehension. "It's the Norwegian giant at the circus." "Come now, Mr. Tarbox, you're joking," said Spriggins. "Joking!" shouted Tarbox. "Do I look like joking? Why, this Enoch came into my lot this afternoon and nearly killed me. It's an outrageous case of assault and battery, and here's the warrant for his arrest duly made out by Squire Price." "Is he very large?" faltered the poor constable. "Very large! He's eight or nine feet high," said Tarbox. "Couldn't you call on some other constable?" pleaded Spriggins, nervously. "You see, it's very inconvenient for me to leave my work." "No; you're the man, and it's your legal duty to serve the warrant. Besides, the other constable's out of town." "When do you want the man arrested?" faltered Spriggins. "I want you to go right over to the show with me now." "Do—do you think he'll be violent?" asked the constable. "I can't say," answered Tarbox. "Anyhow, the law is on your side, and I'll go with you, and stand by you." Sam Spriggins never in his life so deeply regretted that he had accepted the office of constable. CHAPTER V. TARBOX AND THE CONSTABLE GO TO THE CIRCUS. "I think I'll go in and bid my wife good-by," said the constable, ruefully. "What's the need of that?" asked Tarbox, impatiently. "We don't know what may happen," said Spriggins, solemnly. "I'm ready to do my duty by the gover'ment; but it's a risky business, arrestin' a giant." "Oh, well, be quick about it. I don't believe Mrs. Spriggins will mind." This remark did not seem to encourage or soothe the constable, but he made no remark. He went into the house, and Mrs. Spriggins followed him when he came out. "Nathan Tarbox," she said, "you're real mean to get my husband into trouble." "How have I got him into trouble," demanded Tarbox doggedly. "You want to get him into a fight with a giant. He ain't fit to wrestle with any one, bein' in poor health, least of all a giant."