"You started this fight," said Tom.

"I don't keer ef I did--take him off," Daws answered, savagely.

"Will you say 'nough fer him?" said Chad again, and again Tall Tom chuckled.
The little brother clinched his fists and turned white with fear for Whizzer
and fury for Chad, while Daws looked at the tall Turner, shook his head from
side to side, like a balking steer, and dropped his eyes.

"Y-e-s," he said, sullenly.

"Say it, then," said Chad, and this time Tall Tom roared aloud, and even his
two silent brothers laughed. Again Daws, with a furious oath, started for the
dogs with his club, but Chad's ally stepped between.

"You say 'nough, Daws Dillon," he said, and Daws looked into the quiet
half-smiling face and at the stalwart two grinning behind.

"Takin' up agin yo' neighbors fer a wood-colt' airye?"

"I'm a-takin' up fer what's right and fair. How do you know he's a
wood-colt--an' suppose he is? You say 'nough now, or--"

Again Daws looked at the dogs. Jack had taken a fresh grip and was shaking
savagely and steadily. Whizzer's tongue was out--once his throat rattled.

"Nough!" growled Daws, angrily, and the word was hardly jerked from his lips
before Chad was on his feet and prying Jack's jaws apart. "He ain't much
hurt," he said, looking at the bloody hold which Jack had clamped on his
enemy's throat, "but he'd a-killed him though, he al'ays does. Thar ain't no