"What's that you say?" and Jasper stooped lower, "You're going to pay
me back? Well, then, I might as well fix you now, so you won't be able
to do anything in the future. I might as well have my satisfaction
when I can get it. So get up, or I'll knock the life out of your
measley carcass."

Seeing that Jasper was in earnest, Jim scrambled to his feet and barely
dodged the blow rained at his head.

"Fer God's sake, stop!" he yelled. "I won't do anything to ye. I
promise on me word of honour."

"And, you'll be good to this old man?" Jasper demanded.

"Yes, yes," and Jim trembled in every limb. "I'll be good to him if ye
don't hit me agin."

For a few seconds Jasper looked contemptuously upon the creature
cowering before film. He felt that he was lying, and just as soon as
he was out of his sight he would treat old David in a shameful manner,
and he himself would be helpless to interfere. What could he do? he
asked himself. A sudden idea came into his mind.

"What do you get for the keep of this old man?" he asked.

"Only a hundred," was the surly reply. "Not half enough."

"Well, look here, will you give him to me? I will take care of him for
nothing."