ing him against me standing on his hind-legs.

But, engaged as I was, I had an excited ear for what was going on, and I
trembled, as I expected to see the flash of the pistol and feel its
bullet strike me or the dog.

As the man uttered his threats I heard a sharp whispering and a quick
movement or two in the dark, and then all at once I saw the light open,
and after a flash here and there shine full upon the fellow, who
immediately turned the pistol on the holder of the lantern.

"Now then," he cried, "yer give in, don't yer? Yes or no 'fore I fires.
Yah!"

He turned sharply round in my direction as I struggled with Piter, whom
the sight of the black-looking ruffian had made furious.

But the man had not turned upon me.

He had caught sight of Uncle Jack springing at him, the light showing
him as he advanced.

There was a flash, a loud report, and almost preceding it, if not quite,
the sound of a sharp rap given with a stick upon flesh and bone.

The next instant there was a hoarse yell and the noise made by the
pistol falling upon the floor.

"Hurt, Jack?" cried Uncle Dick, as my heart seemed to stand still.

"Scratched, that's all," was the reply. "Here, come and tie this wild
beast's hands. I think I can hold him now."

It almost sounded like a rash assertion, as the light played upon the
desperate struggle that was going on. I could see Uncle Jack and the
man, now down, now up, and at last, after wrestling here and there, the
man, in spite of Uncle Jack's great strength, seeming to have the
mastery. There was a loud panting and a crushing fall, both going down,
and Uncle Jack rising up to kneel upon his adversary's chest.

"Like fighting a bull," panted Uncle Jack. "What arms the fellow has!
Got the rope?"

"Yes," said Uncle Dick, rattling the things in the bag. "Can you turn
him over?"

No sooner said than done. The man heard the order, and prepared to
resist being turned on one side. Uncle Jack noted this and attacked the
other side so quickly that the man was over upon his face before he
could change his tactics.

"Keep that dog back, Cob, or he'll eat him," said Uncle Bob, making the
lantern play on the prostrate man, whose arms were dexterously dragged
behind him and tightly tied.

"There," said Uncle Jack. "Now you can get up and go. Ah, would you,
coward!"

This was in answer to a furious kick the fellow tried to deliver as soon
as he had regained his feet.

"If he attempts