The little cripple cried out with fear and pain, injured as he was by Hanks' revengeful act. Fred had now made his way to the flockers, and the half stifled cry was the first intimation he had had of Carl's presence. He rushed at once to his assistance, and grappled with the boy's assailant. A fierce struggle now ensued. Hanks' blood was up. He was almost like a wild man, and his strength was nearly doubled. At first our young friend was hardly a match for the maddened man. They rolled and tumbled, first one seeming to gain the supremacy and then the other. The old man struggled desperately to win the contest. He struck Fred a telling blow on the nose that made the blood flow copiously and added horror to the scene. But this did not weaken our hero's courage. It rather strengthened his determination and purpose. The fire flashed from his eyes; all the force of his well trained physique was at his command, and with a powerful effort he hurled his antagonist to the floor and fell upon him. Still the struggle went on, but soon Hanks' strength began to fail him, and when he felt himself overpowered by Fred's superior skill and strength he begged for mercy. But he did not need to do this, as Fred would certainly much sooner have been severely punished himself than have struck his antagonist while down, however much contempt he might feel for him. Jack Hickey and a few others now gathered around and interfered in the interest of peace. They saw that Fred had won the fight and was master of the situation. Each contestant was covered with blood, and presented a pitiable sight. Just then Mr. Farrington happened to be passing through the room on his round of inspection, and attracted by those gathered at the flockers he hurried there also, to learn the cause of the excitement. XXVII. The overseer was amazed--could hardly believe his own eyes, when he saw the strange spectacle before him. "What does this mean?" he asked sharply. "I have been assaulted--brutally assaulted," whined Hanks. "And you assaulted him?" he said sternly, turning to Fred. "I have done nothing without good cause," replied Fred. "See, he don't deny it," put in Hanks. "No, I don't deny it, if defending a little cripple against your abuse and cruel treatment is an assault," answered our hero in a way that carried conviction to the overseer. "Abuse and cruel treatment!" repeated Mr. Farrington. "Yes; here is Carl. He can tell the story," replied our young friend. "Why, my boy, are you sick? What makes you look so pale?" asked Mr. Farrington, with feeling, as Carl stepped toward him, hardly able to stand. "I do feel a little faint," he said, catching hold of Fred's hand for support. "Have you been injured by that man?" asked the kind hearted overseer, pointing with scorn at Hanks. "Oh, I don't know why he did it. I didn't disobey him," replied the little cripple, with tears in his eyes.