The tramp stopped short, and eyed Carl's small defender, first with curious surprise, and then with derision.
"Out of my way, you midget!" he cried, "or 'll hurt you."
"Try it!" said the little man, showing no sign of fear.
"Why, you're no bigger than a kid. I can upset you with one finger."
He advanced contemptuously, and laid his hand on the shoulder of the dwarf. In an instant Jennings had swung his flail-like arms, and before the tramp understood what was happening he was lying flat on his back, as much to Carl's amazement as his own.
He leaped to his feet with an execration, and advanced again to the attack. To be upset by such a pigmy was the height of mortification.
"I'm going to crush you, you mannikin!" he threatened.
Jennings put himself on guard. Like many small men, he was very powerful, as his broad shoulders and sinewy arms would have made evident to a teacher of gymnastics. He clearly understood that this opponent was in deadly earnest, and he put out all the strength which he possessed. The result was that his large-framed antagonist went down once more, striking his head with a force that nearly stunned him.
It so happened that at this juncture reinforcements arrived.
A sheriff and his deputy drove up in an open buggy, and, on witnessing the encounter, halted their carriage and sprang to the ground.
"What is the matter, Mr. Jennings?" asked the sheriff, respectfully, for the little man was a person of importance in that vicinity.
"That gentleman is trying to extort a forced loan, Mr. Clunningham."
"Ha! a footpad?"
"Yes."
The sheriff sprang to the side of the tramp, who was trying to rise, and in a trice his wrists were confined by handcuffs.
"I think I know you, Mike Frost," he said.
"You are up to your old tricks. When did you come out of Sing Sing?"
"Three weeks since," answered the tramp, sullenly.
"They want you back there. Come along with me!"
He was assisted into the buggy, and spent that night in the lockup.
"Did he take anything from you, Carl?" asked Mr. Jennings.
"No, sir; but I was in considerable danger.
How strong you are!" he added, admiringly.
"Strength isn't always according to size!" said the little man, quietly. "Nature gave me a powerful, though small, frame, and I have increased my strength by gymnastic exercise."
Mr. Jennings did not show the least excitement after his desperate contest. He had attended to it as a matter of business, and when over he suffered it to pass out of his mind. He took out his watch and noted the time.
"It is later than I thought," he said. "I think I shall have to give up my plan of walking the rest of the way."
"Then I shall be left alone," thought Carl regretfully.
Just then a man overtook them in a carriage.
He greeted Mr. Jennings respectfully.
"Are you out for a long walk?" he said.
"Yes, but I find time is passing too rapidly with me.
Are you going to Milford?"
"Yes, sir."
"Can you take two passengers?"
"You and the boy?"
"Yes; of course I will see that you don't lose by it."
"I ought not to charge you anything, Mr. Jennings.
Several times you have done me favors."
"And I hope to again, but this is business.
