aw-boned,
lawyer-preacher, was as good in a fight as in an argument and, striking
one of the ruffians, gave a good account of himself. John Larkin had to
try conclusions with another culprit, and they were at it, give and
take, like the rest. In like manner Nebeker did his part.

The officer of the law who grappled with Sam Wiles was one of the
strongest men in the county and, despite Wiles' prowess and desperate
fighting, the constable soon had him mastered and clapped handcuffs on
him.

In the meantime Jasper Very and the monster dwarf were having an
interesting combat. Turner would not relax his hold upon his adversary
in spite of all he could do. His grip on his throat was like a coil of
the cobra de capello. At first Very was at the mercy of the dwarf; and
if things had gone on this way a little longer serious consequences
would have come to the preacher. Though he was half choked by the
other's arm, Very, summoning all his strength, took hold of his
antagonists's arm and pulled it from his throat. Then, lifting his
enemy in his arms, he threw him with violence from him. Very was not
particular in which direction the ugly man should go nor the spot on
which he should alight. The fates decreed a bitter punishment, for the
dwarf came plump into the pot of warm tar which had been prepared for
the preacher. Turner was wedged in the pot, so that he could not
extricate himself, and meantime the thick fluid beneath was making a
warm acquaintance with his trousers and legs. This unlooked-for
disgrace and undoing of the two leaders brought the pitched battle to a
close. The unknown rascals, having broken away from their antagonists
and seeing the discomfiture of their chiefs, fled up the knob road,
while the three principals, Wiles, Turner, Danks, were taken into
custody.

The scene closes with John Larkin, a broad smile on his face, looking
at the disconsolate Turner and saying: "He digged a pit, and is fallen
into the ditch which he made."

CHAPTER XIV.

Returning Thanks.

The captors of these outlaws were more merciful than the rowdies, for
Nathaniel Grimes went to a farmhouse not far away and borrowed some
clothes to replace those tar-besmeared which Turner had on. When he had
changed his garments the two constables and Nebeker conducted the
prisoners on horseback to the county seat where they were locked up in
jail.

In the meantime Jasper Very, John Larkin, and Nathaniel Grimes mounted
their horses