in Hillcrest. Tom knew this, but in his rage he had thrown reason to
the wind. With lightning rapidity Captain Josh reached up, caught Tom
by the arm, and in a twinkling brought him sprawling upon the side of
the road. With an ugly oath, the teamster tried to regain his feet,
but he was helpless in the grip of the captain's powerful arm. He
writhed and cursed, but all in vain, and at length was forced to give
up the struggle, and sat panting upon the road completely cowed.

By this time several men from the store surrounded the contestants, who
watched with much interest the subjection of Tom Dunker. To them
Captain Josh paid no heed, but stood glowering over his victim. When
he saw that he was subdued he let go his grip, and stepped back a
couple of paces.

"Now, git up!" he demanded.

As Tom made no effort to obey, the captain leaned forward, caught him
once more in his mighty grip, and lifted him to his feet.

"Stand there, ye wobbly-kneed cur!" he cried.

"I'll have the law of ye," Tom wailed. "If there's B-b-british
justice, you'll git it!"

"H'm," the captain snorted. "Ye talk about British justice. Ye may
thank yer stars at this very minute that the law hasn't its grip upon
ye fer tryin' to kill a harmless boy. But I'll do it instead. I'll be
the British justice, judge, lawyers, jury, and the whole dang concern
combined. Now, look here, Tom Bunker, you apologise to that youngster
fer what ye did to him this mornin'."