“You sneak!” cried Esau angrily; “I’d ha’ died first.”
His words sent a sting through me, and I would have given anything to have been able to say, “I couldn’t help it, Esau.” But I was speechless, and felt the next instant as if a blow had fallen upon me, as I saw with starting eyes Mr Dempster shift his position, keeping a tight hold of Esau by the collar as he rose into a stooping position, and then, whizz! thud! he brought the cane down with all his force across the lad’s shoulders.
Esau uttered a yell as he tried to spring up, but he was held fast, and the blows were falling thick and fast upon the struggling lad, when I could bear it no longer, and with one bound I was at the auctioneer, and had fast hold of the cane.
“Stop!” I shouted, half hysterically; “you shan’t beat him. You have no right to do it, sir. Esau, get up. Run!”
“Let go!” cried Mr Dempster, turning a face black with passion at me. “Do you hear, beggar? Let go!”
“I will not,” I cried, for my blood was up now, and I did not feel in the least afraid. “You have no right to beat him.”
“Let go!”
“Don’t, don’t, Gordon! Yah! you great coward!”
“Once more, will you let go?” cried Mr Dempster, as he stood with one hand in Esau’s collar, bent down, and tugging at the cane, to which I clung.
“No,” I cried. “You shall not strike him again.”