ain," said the latter. "You mean well, lad, and it's
very kind on you; but I shall hev it 'fore long on account o' talking to
thee."

"Oh, surely not!" I cried angrily. "The men will never be such cowards
as to attack you for that."

"Men weant, but trade will," said Pannell. "Mates can't do as they like
about it. Look ye yonder; what did I say?"

He nodded in the direction of Stevens, who had returned directly,
stopped opposite the smithy, but at some distance, and as soon as I
looked up he began to signal to me to go to him.

I never liked the man, for he always seemed to dislike me, and I gave
him the credit of being one of the active parties in the outrages that
had been committed upon us. But I remembered what our plans were to
be--frank, straightforward, and fearless--and I walked right up to
Stevens, whose brow was lowering and full of menace.

"Here, I want a word with you," he said fiercely.

"All right, Stevens!" I said. "What is it?"

"Come over here," he replied, "and I'll tell ye."

He led the way along the yard to the other side of the great coal heap,
which lay there massive and square, through its sides being carefully
built up with big blocks of coal.

We were quite out of sight there, and, as I thought, how easy it would
be for him to knock me down with one of the lumps.

I was perfectly cool though, till he suddenly seized me by the jacket.

I struck up at his hand, but he held on tightly, and there was a curious
smile on his face as he said:

"Nay, you don't, lad; I'm stronger than thou."

"What do you want?" I cried, making a virtue of necessity and standing
firm.

"What do I want, eh?" he said slowly. "Oh, just a word or two wi' thee,
my lad. There, you needn't call thee uncle."

"I was not going to call him," I retorted. "Why should I?"

"Because you're scarred about what I'm going to do to thee."

"No, I'm not," I replied boldly; "because you daren't do anything unless
it's in the dark, when you can attack a man behind his back."

He winced at this and scowled, but turned it off with a laugh.

"'Tack a what?" he said.

"A boy, then," I cried. "I know I'm a boy; but I meant people
generally."

"Nivver you mind that," he said. "You don't understand trade. But
joost you look there. Yow've been saying I did some'at to the dog."

"That I have not," I cried.

"Ay, but you did say it," he repeated fiercely.

"I did not say so," I cried almost as angrily; "bu