"Oho! You need a stronger hint," said Achilles. With this he grasped the blacksmith about the middle, and tossed him over the fence into the adjoining field as easily as if he were a cat.
Aaron Bickford did not know what had happened to him. He lay motionless for a few seconds, and then picked himself up with some difficulty, and confronted the giant with mingled fear and anger.
"I'll have the law of ye for this," he shouted.
Achilles laughed.
"It's as you like," he said. "I've got my witnesses here," pointing to the two boys.
Mr. Bickford got over the fence, and sullenly turned in the direction of his deserted wagon.
"You'll hear from me again, all of you!" he shouted, shaking his fist.
"Don't trouble yourself to write," said the giant, jocosely. "We can worry along without a letter."
The blacksmith was too full of wrath for utterance. He kept on his way, muttering to himself, and shaking his fist at intervals.
"Now what's all this about?" asked Achilles. "What's the matter with our amiable friend?"