This seemed to enrage him still more, and he fairly leaped the distance, caught me again, and bore me to the floor.
“We’ll see if you are going to mind or not!” he cried.
“Let me up!” I screamed.
“Yes, let him up,” put in Ford. “I won’t have you thrashing Rube.”
And he caught Mr. Norton by the arm, and pulled him in such a fashion that he went sprawling on his back.
My tormentor was completely astonished by this movement. He scrambled to his feet, and I lost no time in doing the same.
“What do you mean by interfering?” demanded Mr. Norton, turning a livid face to the mill-hand.
“I won’t stand by and see Rube abused,” retorted Ford.
“It’s none of your business!”