me, and it was well I did, for the company only got as
far as Springfield, where they were met by messengers from Webb, who had
got over his fright, telling them to return. They came back to
Lexington, having been out only twelve days.

When they returned, we had a great jollification. The company marched to
the training-field, and went through the exercises. Crowds gathered
round and ate gingerbread and drank beer.

A lot of worthless fellows used to wander round the country, and pick up
a living by wrestling and betting on themselves. Such a man appeared on
the training-field that day.

[Sidenote: THE ESSEX COUNTY CHAMPION]

"Here I am, boys, at your service,--Sam Sloan, the champion wrestler of
Essex County. I've wrestled with the best men of every town in the
county,--Newburyport, Ipswich, Gloucester, Marblehead, Salem,--and
thrown them all. I've been from one end of the county to the other, and
not a man can stand up against me. I hear you've got the best man in
Middlesex in this town, and I've come to throw him. If you think I
can't, make your bets. I've got ten pounds with me, and I want to bet
every penny of it."

He found plenty of men who were ready to bet with him, for all had
confidence in Jonas.

Some one ran after Jonas and brought him to the place where this man was
boasting.

"So, you're Jonas Parker, the best man in Middlesex? Well, you look as
if you could wrestle a bit, but you'll know more about it, after I get
through with you."

Jonas said nothing, but took off his jacket and waistcoat, and looked at
him quietly, with a grim smile.

Then they grappled each other, and I watched them anxiously. It did not
seem to me that Jonas was exerting himself fully or doing his very
best. But the man from Essex was laid on the ground in a short time.

He jumped up furious. "That was an accident. Just a piece of bad luck.
My foot slipped on something in the grass. It wasn't a fair wrestle.
Come on and try it again. I can throw you as easy as tumbling off a
log."

"Wait a minute," said Jonas; "pay your bets, and then we'll talk."

The man pulled out his wallet, paid his bets, and said, "Now, come on,
and I'll show you what wrestling is."

"Wait a bit," said Jonas; "don't hurry! You talk big. But you must first
prove that you are a wrestler. There's a likely lad here, and if you
wrestle him, and show that you can wrestle, you can take an hour's time
to get fresh, and I'll try you again."

The man