Kit in the direction of the wagon.

"Let go that boy's collar," cried Achilles, sternly.

"I won't!" retorted the blacksmith. "I advise you to mind your own
business."

Achilles Henderson, like most big men, was good natured, but he was
roused by the other's insolence. He carried war into the enemy's camp by
seizing the blacksmith and shaking him till he was compelled to release
his grasp.

"What do you mean by this outrage?" demanded Bickford, furiously.

"It's only a gentle hint," said Achilles, smiling. "Now, my friend, I've
got a piece of advice to give you. If that is your wagon back there
you'd better get into it as soon as convenient--the sooner the
better--and get out of my way or I'll give you a stronger hint."

The blacksmith was too indignant to be prudent. What! Confess himself
vanquished, and go home without the boy! The idea was intolerable to
him.

"I'm goin' to take the boy," he said, angrily, and darting forward he
essayed to seize Kit by the collar again.

"Oho! You need a stronger hint," said Achilles. With this he grasped the
blacksmith about the middle, and tossed him over the fence into the
adjoining field as easily as if he were a cat.

Aaron Bickford did not know what had happened to him. He lay motionless
for a few seconds, and then picked himself up with some difficulty, and
confronted the giant with mingled fear and anger.

"I'll have the law of ye for this," he shouted.

Achilles laughed.

"It's as you like," he said. "I've got my witnesses here," pointing to
the two boys.

Mr. Bickford got over the fence, and sullenly turned in the direction of
his deserted wagon.

"You'll hear from me again, all of you!" he shouted, shaking his fist.

"Don't trouble yourself to write," said the giant, jocosely. "We can
worry along without a letter."

The blacksmith was too full of wrath for utterance. He kept on his way,
muttering to himself, and shaking his fist at intervals.

"Now what's all this about?" asked Achilles. "What's the matter with our
amiable friend?"

Kit explained.

"So you don't want to be a blacksmith? Where are you going, if I may
inquire?"

"I'm going to join the circus," answered Kit.

"In what capacity--as a lion tamer?"

"No; I shouldn't fancy that business. I am to be an acrobat."

"An acrobat! But are you qualified?" asked Achilles, somewhat surprised.

He had not heard of Kit's practice with the Vincenti brothers on the day
of his first visit to the