same time, for his strongest desire just then was to fight his
tyrant; and for some minutes neither spoke.

At last the big boy said, in a low, growling way:

"Now then, are you going to give me them things?"

"No," said Robin, through his set teeth; and again there was
silence.

"You give 'em to me, and I'll show you the way to where they live
and they'll give you roast deer and roast pig p'raps, for two of
ourn's gone. Master says he counted 'em, and they aren't all
there, and he wales me with a strap because I let them take the
pigs, and next time he counts 'em there's more than there was
before, but he's whipped me all the same. You give me them things,
and I'll take you where you'll get lots to eat, and milk and eggs
and apples. D'yer hear?"

"I won't give them to you. I can't--I mustn't," cried Robin
passionately.

The boy said nothing, but looked away at his pigs, two of which
were fighting.

"Ah, would you?" he cried; and he made believe to rush at them with
his big hook-handled stick.

Robin was thrown off his guard, and before he was aware of it the
boy made a side leap and, dropping his stick, seized him, threw him