A week after the occurrences narrated, a stranger, in the dress of a working man, with his coat on his arm, came into Fred’s store, and called for some crackers and cheese, and half a pint of new rum.
Fred placed before him the crackers and cheese, but told him he must go to the other store for the liquor. He then called for a quart of cider. After eating, drinking, and resting a while, and smoking his pipe, he took a piece of chalk from his pocket, and drew a line across the floor. “There,” said he, “the first man that steps over that line has got to take hold of me.”
This was altogether too much for Fred, who instantly stepped over the line. They went out before the door, and the stranger threw Fred in a moment, and several others who came in. The thing was noised abroad, and quite a crowd assembled, but they were careful not to step over the line. Fred sent for Charlie, and the stranger threw him. The matter was now getting serious; the reputation of the town was at stake.
“Send for Joe Griffin,” said Uncle Isaac.
Joe had gone up river after logs.
“Then send for Edmund Griffin.”
He had gone with Joe. A boy was now despatched for Joel Ricker, who brought back word that he was on Elm Island, doing some joiner-work for Lion Ben.
“Then,” said Uncle Isaac, “we must send for the Lion. This fellow shan’t go off and make his brags that he has stumped the place, and got off clear. I’ll take hold of him myself first, though I haven’t wrestled these twenty-five year.”
“Why haven’t we thought of John Rhines?” said Fred.