Tom felt obliged to take an active part in the fight, though it was by no means to his taste. He seized Mark by the shoulders, and tried to drag him away from his prostrate friend, but by this time John Downie was on his feet, and ran forward, giving Tom a push which sent him headlong on the other side of James.
"Let me up, you low ruffian!" screamed James.
"Will you promise to behave yourself, then?"
"I will promise nothing."
"Then you can stay here a little longer. What made you attack Johnny?"
"It's none of your business. I'll lick him as often as I please."
"Not while I am around. Johnny, what made him attack you?"
"He said I was a tell-tale, because I told of his shooting the cow."
"And so you are! Let me up, Mark Manning."
"Will you promise?"