of a box of coal. "He--he'll kill me!" spluttered the discomfited man.

But Fret Offut failed for good reasons to heed the supplications of his
friend.

The next instant Furniss managed to get a hold on Jack which enabled him
to throw him upon the floor.

"Go to South America, will you?" cried the exultant Furniss. "Let that
settle it," and he aimed a furious blow at his victim's head.

But Jack was too nimble to remain still and receive whatever attack the
other might rain upon him, and when Furniss' fist descended it missed its
mark, to strike plump upon the sharp edge of a bar of iron, peeling the
skin on its back from knuckle to wrist.

At the same time Jack turned his adversary and, clearing him, vaulted to
his feet, carrying the other backwards by the impetuous movement and
sending him headfirst into a bucket of water.

Before he could rise Jack had caught him by the throat with one hand, and
he immediately began to "churn" the other's head up and down in the black
water, while the discomfited wretch, trying in vain to break away,
exclaimed in gasps:

"Help--don't--you'll kill me! I--Of--ut--h-e-l-p--murder!"

"Will you promise to let me alone after this?" demanded Jack, giving his
victim another plunge in the bucket.