The result was that his large-
framed antagonist went down once more, striking
his head with a force that nearly stunned him.
It so happened that at this juncture reinforcements arrived.
A sheriff and his deputy drove up in an open buggy, and,
on witnessing the encounter, halted their carriage and sprang
to the ground.
"What is the matter, Mr. Jennings?" asked the sheriff,
respectfully, for the little man was a person of importance
in that vicinity.
"That gentleman is trying to extort a forced
loan, Mr. Clunningham."
"Ha! a footpad?"
"Yes."
The sheriff sprang to the side of the tramp,
who was trying to rise, and in a trice his wrists
were confined by handcuffs.
"I think I know you, Mike Frost," he said.
"You are up to your old tricks. When did you
come out of Sing Sing?"
"Three weeks since," answered the tramp, sullenly.
"They want you back there. Come along with me!"
He was assisted into the buggy, and spent
that night in the lockup.
"Did he take anything from you, Carl?"
asked Mr. Jennings.
"No, sir; but I was in considerable danger.
How strong you are!" he added, admiringly.
"Strength isn't always according to size!"
said the little man, quietly. "Nature gave me
a powerful, though small, frame, and I have
increased my strength by gymnastic exercise."
Mr. Jennings did not show the least excitement
after his desperate contest. He had attended
to it as a matter of business, and when
over he suffered it to pass out of his mind. He
took out his watch and noted the time.
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