re's a stick for you. I ought to break your
thick skull with it, but I'm going to be weak enough to give it to you
to walk home. Go home and tell your wife and children that you are one
of the most treacherous, canting, hypocritical scoundrels in Arrowfield,
and that you have only got your deserts if you are lamed for life."

He gave Gentles his stick and walked with him to the gate, which he
unlocked and held open for him to pass out groaning and suffering
horribly.

"Good-night, honest faithful workman!" he said; "friendly man who only
wanted to be left alone. Do you want your can of powder? No: I'll keep
it as a memento of your visit, and for fear you might have an accident
at home."

The man groaned again as he passed out and staggered.

"Poor wretch!" said Uncle Jack, so that I alone heard him. "Ignorance
and brutality. Here," he said aloud, "take my arm. I'll help you on to
your house. One good turn deserves another."

Uncle Jack went to him and took his stick in his hand, when, fancying I
heard something, I turned on the light just in time to show Uncle Jack
his danger, for half a dozen men armed with sticks came out of the
shadow of the wall and rushed at him.

It was fortunate for him that he had taken back the stout oak
walking-stick that he made his companion on watching nights, or he would
have been beaten down.

As it was he received several heavy blows, but he parried others, and
laid about him so earnestly that two men went down, and another fell
over Gentles.

By that time my uncle had retreated to the gate, darted through, and
banged and locked it in his enemies' face.

"Rather cowardly to retreat, Cob," he panted; "but six to one are long
odds. Where's the powder can?"

"I have it, uncle," I said.

"Ah, well, suppose you give it to me, or else the light! The two don't
go well together. They always quarrel, and it ends in what Mr
O'Gallagher in _Perceval Keene_ called a blow up."

I gave him the can, and then listened to the muttering of voices
outside, half expecting that an attempt might be made to scale the wall.

"No," said Uncle Jack; "they will not do that. They don't make open
attacks."

"Did you see who the others were?"

"No, it was too dark. There, let's get inside. But about that trap. I
won't leave it there."

I walked with him in silence, and lighted him while he dragged the iron
peg out of the ground, and carried all back to the office, where he
examine