Cora was hidden from the two by a screen of bushes, and on the dirt of the road, with her car running at low speed, they had not heard her.
Lem laid his hand on Ida's wrist.
"Let me alone!" she screamed. "Help! help!"
Cora saw a stout stick lying on the ground. With hardly a thought of what she was doing she caught it up and stepped forward.
"There's nobody here to help you," said Lem with a brutal chuckle.
"Yes, there is!" cried Cora in ringing tones. "Let go of her arm, Lem Gildy, or I'll strike you with this!" and the girl raised the stick over the rascal's head.
He hesitated a moment, still gripping Ida, who was on the verge of collapse. She looked at Cora with wonder and fear.
"Let go!" demanded Cora, taking a step nearer.
"Not for you!" answered Lem defiantly.
Cora brought the stick down with stinging force on his wrist. With a howl of pain he let go and advanced toward Cora, but she struck him aver the head with her weapon, and Ida, who had recovered her courage, catching up a heavy stone, made it a more even battle. With a muttered snarl Lem slunk away and disappeared in the underbrush. Cora felt herself trembling violently, but she kept control of herself.