"Rube!" Pole found his voice. "For John's sake, let up. It's all a joke!"
Judd had already grabbed the huge Oole and was shaking him as one would a baby.
"A fine joke, I call it. Tryin' to rob a fellah!"
Oole gasped for breath. "Let go! You're killing me!"
"It's Oole, Rube, let loose!" Pole grabbed Judd by the arm and tugged at him frantically.
The rest of the fellows who had been silent onlookers now rushed out as they saw the comedy transformed into a near tragedy.
Of a sudden the truth of the whole affair came over Judd. He released his hold on Oole and sank down by the road side exhausted. Oole also sat down, rubbing his throat gingerly.
"Fellahs, you shouldn't have done this!" moaned Judd, "that's goin' too far!"
A flash light was unearthed and the three fellows examined. Curns showed signs of returning consciousness, but the other two were still dead to the world.
"The mill pond!" someone suggested, and the three injured members were carried to its bank. Judd, quite overcome with grief and surprise followed in company with Pole.