Ralph was in his prime, however, of vigorous make and
muscle, and well practised in the agile sports and athletic exercises of
woodland life. He saw the intent in the mischievous glance of his
enemy's eye, in time to guard himself against it; and, suddenly changing
his position, as the body of his antagonist was nearly upon him, he
eluded the blow, and the force and impetus employed in the effort bore
the assassin forward. Before he could arrest his own progress, the youth
had closed in upon him, and by a dexterous use of his foot, in a manner
well known to the American woodman, Rivers, without being able to
interpose the slightest obstacle to the new direction thus given him,
was forcibly hurled to the ground.

Before he could recover, the youth was upon him. His blood was now at
fever-heat, for he had not heard the taunts upon his courage, from all
around him, with indifference, though he had borne them with a laudable
show of patience throughout. His eye shot forth fires almost as
malignant as those of his opponent. One of his hands was wreathed in the
neckcloth of his prostrate foe, while the other was employed in freeing
his own dirk from the encumbrances of his vest. This took little time,
and he would not have hesitated in the blow, when the interposition of
those present bore him off, and permitted the fallen and stunned man to
recover his feet. It was at this moment that the honest friendship of
Forrester was to be tried and tested. The sympathies of those around
were most generally with the ruffian; and the aspect of affairs was
something unlucky, when the latter was not only permitted to recommence
the attack, but when the youth was pinioned to the ground by others of
the gang, and disarmed of all defence. The moment was perilous; and,
whooping like a savage, Forrester leaped in between, dealing at the same
time his powerful blows from one to the other, right and left, and
making a clear field around the youth.

"Fair play is all I ask, boys--fair play, and we can lick the whole of
you. Hurra for old Carolina. Who's he says a word against her? Let him
stand up, and be knocked down. How's it, 'squire--you an't hurt, I
reckon? I hope not; if you are, I'll have a shot with Rivers myself on
the spot."

But Munro interposed: "We have had enough outcry, Forrester. Let us have
no more. Take this young man along with you, or it will be worse for
him."

"Well, Wat Munro, all the 'squire wants is fair play--fair p