“The dog came so suddenly,” said James, coloring, “that I didn’t have time to think.”
“So you jumped over the wall. I don’t know what would have become of me if Mr. Temple had not come along.”
“Did you have a gun?” asked James.
“No; I had a stick that I cut in the woods.”
“He killed the dog with it,” said Mary, “and afterward he conquered the dog’s owner.”
“You don’t mean to say you fought with Ben Miller?” exclaimed James, in surprise.
“He insisted on my paying for the dog or fighting him,” said Tom. “I chose the last.”
“Why, he’s twice as strong as you,” said James. “He could whip you and me together, that is if I would condescend to fight with such a low fellow.”
“I had to condescend,” said Tom laughing, “as he attacked me furiously.”
“What did you do?”