"Git out o' this!"
"Don't be in a rush, ol' man"——
Bacon hurled himself upon Lime, who threw out one hand and stopped him, while he said in a low voice:
"Stay right where you are, ol' man. I'm dangerous. It's for Merry's sake"——
The infuriated old man struck at him. Lime warded off the blow, and with a sudden wrench and twist threw him to the ground with frightful force. Before Bacon could rise, Marietta, who had witnessed the scene, came flying from the house.
"Lime! Father! What are you doing?"
"I—couldn't help it, Merry. It was him 'r me," said Lime, almost sadly.
"Dad, ain't you got no sense? What 're you thinking of? You jest stop right now. I won't have it."
He rose while she clung to him; he seemed a little dazed. It was the first time he had ever been thrown, and he could not but feel a certain respect for his opponent, but he could not give way.
"Pack up yer duds," he snarled, "an' git off'n my land. I'll have the money fer ye when ye come back. I'll give ye jest five minutes to git clear o' here. Merry, you stay here."