what are you going to do to Master Scar?"

"Half kill him some day."

"Why not to-day, sir? Draw up somewhere in a wood, and we'll all see
fair. You can whip him, Master Fred; I know you can. We'll set them
free for a bit, and I'll stand by you, and Nat shall stand by his young
master."

"Don't talk nonsense, Samson."

"'Tisn't nonsense, sir. You nearly always used to whip him when you two
fell out, and you're bigger and stronger now."

"But we are in different positions now, Samson," said Fred,
thoughtfully; "and it is impossible."

"Don't say that, sir. The men would like to see you whip him for what
he did."

"No, Samson. It could not be done."

"You aren't afraid of him, are you, sir?"

"Afraid? How dare you?"

"Oh, I beg pardon, sir. I was only saying so because I thought the men
would think you were, for putting up with a crack like that."

Samson's words stung more deeply than he expected, though he had meant
then to rankle, for to his mind nothing would have been more fairer or
more acceptable than for his young leader to face the Royalist prisoner
with nature's weapons, and engage in a regular up and down fight, such
as would, he felt sure, result in victory for their side.

They rode on in silence for some time before Samson hazarded another
word.

"Beg pardon, sir," he then said, humbly. "I didn't mean to hurt your
feelings."

"No, no; I know that, Samson."

"It was only because I thought that the men might think you afraid of
Master Scarlett."

Fred turned upon him angrily.

"I beg your pardon again, sir," whispered Samson; "but it's just as I
say. I know you aren't scared of him a bit, because I've knowed you
ever since you was a little tot as I give pigabacks and rides a-top of
the grass when I'd a barrow full. But the men don't know you as I do,
sir. Call a halt, sir, and fight him."

"Samson, I am talking to you as my old friend now, not as your officer.
It is impossible."

"Not it, sir. The men would like it. So would you; and as for me--let
me fight brother Nat same time, and I'll give him such a beating as he
won't know whether it's next We'n'sday or last We'n'sday, or the year
before last."

"I tell you, man, it's impossible, so say no more."

"Very well, Master Fred. I only tell you the truth; and if you find the
lads aren't so willing to follow you, mind, it's that."

"I have my duty to do, sir, so say no more."

"What a nuisance dooty is," said Samso