treating. Blackall caught him under his arm, and was
about to inflict the most severe and disagreeable of punishments, by
gibbing him, when poor Ellis, who had hitherto stood trembling at a
distance, in obedience to Ernest's directions, could bear it no longer;
and, throwing himself forward, leaped on Blackall's back, and held his
arms with all his might and main, butting away at the same time, like a
ram, with his head, and kicking furiously with his long legs, biting, it
was said, the bully's ears and cheeks. However that may be, Blackall
was compelled to let Ernest go, for the purpose of shaking off his new
and ferocious assailant. This was not very easily done, for Ellis had
remarkably long and strong arms, and held on like a vice. Ernest seeing
this, resolved to bring the bully to terms.

"I say, Blackall, if Ellis lets you go, will you promise faithfully not
to hurt him in any way, by word, look, or deed?" exclaimed Ernest.

Blackall did not deign to reply, but continued his impotent efforts to
shake off his old man of the woods. He jumped and leaped, and backed
against the walls, but to no purpose; he could not manage to get rid of
his burden.

"Well, what is your determination?" asked Ernest again, advancing in a
threatening attitude towards Blackall, on whom he could now, had he
chosen, have inflicted a very severe punishment. "Will you promise
faithfully, by all you hold sacred, not to touch or hurt Ellis in any
way for this?"

"I should think you had better try to make a bargain for yourself
first," said Blackall.

"Not I!" said Bracebridge, proudly; "I can stand a thrashing far better
than Ellis. I am pretty well accustomed to your lickings, and they
don't hurt me much. Therefore, again, I ask you, will you promise, or
will you not?" As he spoke, he doubled his fists, and advanced on
Blackall, whose face was completely exposed to an attack, while Ellis
kept battering away at his head, and grasped his arms tighter than ever.

What might have been the consequences I do not know; Bracebridge, in all
probability, would pretty severely have handled the bully, and, his
anger being excited, would have left some marks not very easily
eradicated on his countenance: when a light was seen in the passage, and
a quick step advanced towards them. Bracebridge disdained to fly, and
Blackall could not, so they waited the result.

"Ah! vat you garcons do there?" exclaimed Monsieur Malin, for it was the
Frenc