Long all but sprang upon him, his hands clenched, one arm just starting
back for the punch while at the same instant shoulders and chest were
coming forward. But he restrained himself at sight of Billy's unstartled
body and cold and cloudy ayes. He had made no move of mind or muscle.
It was as if he were unaware of the threatened attack. All of which
constituted a new thing in Long's experience.

"Maybe you don't know who I am," he bullied.

"Yep, I do," Billy answered airily. "You're a record-breaker at
rough-housin'." (Here Long's face showed pleasure.) "You ought to have
the Police Gazette diamond belt for rough-bousin' baby buggies'. I guess
there ain't a one you're afraid to tackle."

"Leave 'm alone, Charley," advised one of the young men who had crowded
about them. "He's Bill Roberts, the fighter. You know'm. Big Bill."

"I don't care if he's Jim Jeffries. He can't butt in on me this way."

Nevertheless it was noticeable, even to Saxon, that the fire had gone
out of his fierceness. Billy's name seemed to have a quieting effect on
obstreperous males.

"Do you know him?" Billy asked her.

She signified yes with her eyes, though it seemed she must cry out a
thousand things against this man who so steadfastly persecuted her.
Billy turned to the blacksmith.

"Look here, sport, you don't want trouble with me. I've got your number.
Besides, what do we want to fight for? Hasn't she got a say so in the
matter?"

"No, she hasn't. This is my affair an' yourn."

Billy shook his head slowly. "No; you're in wrong. I think she has a say
in the matter."

"Well, say it then," Long snarled at Saxon, "who're you goin' to go
with?--me or him? Let's get it settled."

For reply, Saxon reached her free hand over to the hand that rested on
Billy's arm.

"Nuff said," was Billy's remark.

Long glared at Saxon, then transferred the glare to her protector.

"I've a good mind to mix it with you anyway," Long gritted through his
teeth.

Saxon was elated as they started to move away. Lily Sanderson's fate had
not been hers, and her wonderful man-boy, without the threat of a blow,
slow of speech and imperturbable, had conquered the big blacksmith.

"He's forced himself upon me all the time," she whispered to Billy.
"He's tried to run me, and beaten up every man that came near me. I
never want to see him again."

Billy halted immediately. Long, who was reluctantly moving to get out of
the way, also halted.

"She says sh