t's the best that offers!"

So saying, he sprang upon the balcony--none too soon, for a moment
later the door burst open and an incongruous element rushed into the
room. Many were attired in outlandish head-dresses, embroidered
moccasins and fringed jackets, their faces painted in various hues,
but others, of a bolder spirit, had disdained all subterfuge of
disguise. Not until then did the soldier discover that he had
overlooked the possible unpleasantness of remaining in the land
baron's stead, for the anti-renters promptly threw themselves upon
him, regardless of his companion. The first to grapple with him was a
herculean, thick-ribbed man, of extraordinary stature, taller than the
soldier, if not so well-knit; a Goliath, indeed, as Scroggs had deemed
him, with arms long as windmills.

"Stand back, lads," he roared, "and let me throw him!" And Dick, the
tollman, rushed at Saint-Prosper with furious attack; soon they were
chest to chest, each with his chin on his opponent's right shoulder,
and each grasping the other around the body with joined hands.

Dick's muscles grew taut, like mighty whip-cords; his chest expanded
with power; he girded his loins for a great effort, and it seemed as
if he would make good his boast. Held in the grasp of those arms,
tight as iron bands, the soldier staggered. Once more the other heaved
and again Saint-Prosper nearly fell, his superior agility alone saving
him.

Then slowly, almost imperceptibly, the soldier managed to face to the
right, twisting so as to place his left hip against his adversary--his
only chance; a trick of wrestling unknown to his herculean, but clumsy
opponent. Gathering all his strength in a last determined effort, he
stooped forward suddenly and lifted in his turn. One portentous
moment--a moment of doubt and suspense--and the proud representative
of the barn-burners was hurled over the shoulder of the soldier,
landing with a crash on the floor where he lay, dazed and immovable.

Breathing hard, his chest rising and falling with labored effort,
Saint-Prosper fell back against the wall. The anti-renters quickly
recovering from their surprise, gave him no time to regain his
strength, and the contest promised a speedy and disastrous conclusion
for the soldier, when suddenly a white figure flashed before him,
confronting the tenants with pale face and shining eyes. A slender
obstacle; only a girlish form, yet the fearlessness of her manner, the
eloquence of he