"I have been assaulted—brutally assaulted," whined Hanks.
"And you assaulted him?" he said sternly, turning to Fred.
"I have done nothing without good cause," replied Fred.
"See, he don't deny it," put in Hanks.
"No, I don't deny it, if defending a little cripple against your abuse and cruel treatment is an assault," answered our hero in a way that carried conviction to the overseer.
"Abuse and cruel treatment!" repeated Mr. Farrington.
"Yes; here is Carl. He can tell the story," replied our young friend.
"Why, my boy, are you sick? What makes you look so pale?" asked Mr. Farrington, with feeling, as Carl stepped toward him, hardly able to stand.
"I do feel a little faint," he said, catching hold of Fred's hand for support.
"Have you been injured by that man?" asked the kind hearted overseer, pointing with scorn at Hanks.