“To you?” said Bates, with a curling lip.
“Yes, to me, old man; nay, don’t growl so. I fear you not, you cannot bite any one. Think yourself very lucky that I do not punish your insolence on the spot.”
Ned’s manner was so firm, cool, and brave, that it seemed to act like a spell on all present, for no one moved from where they stood or sat, but looked on with surprise and curiosity at what then took place.
Walking up to Redgill, Ned said, calmly, but in tones which all could hear—
“We have met again.”
“We have,” was the hoarse response of the dark villain, as he curled his lip in demon-like scorn.
“You called me bastard,” said Wildfire Ned, in a tone of fiery anger, “this is my answer!”
So speaking, he slapped Redgill in the face, and then spat upon him.
“Hollo! what’s all this?”
“He’s struck our friend.”