ellow had
defied him, they had begun to fight, and in Canada a boss who could not
enforce his authority lost his right to rule. Jim imagined it was so
in England and did not mean to stop until the smith was ready to
submit. Yet the fellow was powerful and fought with dogged pluck.

While they floundered about, striking, and trying for a throwing hold,
Jake heard steps and looked up. He was half-embarrassed and
half-amused, for it was obvious Jim did not know Mrs. Halliday, Evelyn,
and Bernard Dearham stood on the top of the bank. He could not
separate the men and did not think Jim would hear if he shouted;
besides, to shout a warning would make the thing ridiculous.

There was nothing to do but wait, and after a few moments Jim lifted
his antagonist and threw him down the bank. It looked as if the sulky
smith was not a favorite, for some of the men laughed and some growled
hoarse applause. Jim's muddy shirt was torn and his face was bruised;
he was looking down into the hole and did not see Bernard's party until
he turned to go to the forge. Then he stopped and stood with his head
held back, while Jake studied the others. He thought Bernard was
quietly amused, but Mrs. Halliday looked pained, and Evelyn's delicate
face was flushed.

"We thought we would come to see how you were getting on," said Mrs.
Halliday. "It was an adventure; your new road is very bad and the car
nearly upset."

"There is not much to see and I did not expect you," Jim replied.

"That is obvious," Bernard remarked with a twinkle. "I imagine you
don't know much about Cumberland wrestling, but you are very quick.
When you threw him, the other fellow was getting a hold that would have
put you in his power."

"You gave him a bad fall, anyhow. I suppose you are used to this sort
of thing in Canada," said Mordaunt, who came from behind the others and
glanced at Evelyn.

Jake was interested; he sensed something of a drama, of which he
thought his comrade was unconscious. There was a hint of a sneer in
Mordaunt's voice and Jake thought his remark was meant for the girl.
Her eyes were fixed on Jim, and she looked disturbed. It was plain
that Mordaunt noted this. Mrs. Halliday was rather ostentatiously
careless, Bernard quietly looked on, but Jim gave no sign of
embarrassment.

"Why, no," he answered Mordaunt. "On the whole, I didn't have much
trouble with the boys in Canada. This fellow wouldn't do his job as I
wanted, and through