on't do--can't do that.'

"'Well, when will yeh have some money in?'

"'Well, it's hard tellin'--in two or three months, probably.'

"'Well, I'd like the money on this order. I need it. Can't I git
somebody to cash it for me?'

"'Well, I dunno. I guess they'll take it at the store. My brother John
might cash it--possibly, as an accommodation.'

"Well, my friend goes over to Brother John's bank, and Brother John
cashes the order, and gives him eight dollars for it. Brother John then
turns in the order to the treasurer and gets twelve dollars for it, and
then they 'divvy' on the thing. Now, how's that for a nice game?"

"It's a damn lie!" shouted an excited man in the foreground. He had his
sleeves rolled up and kept up a continual muttering growl.

"It's the truth," repeated Bradley. There was a strong Russell
contingent in the meeting, and they were full of fight. The angry man
in front repeated his shout:

"That's a lie! Take it back, or I'll yank yeh off'n that wagon box."

"Come and try it," said Bradley, throwing off his coat.

The excitement had reached the point where blows begin. Several
irresponsible fellows were urging their companion on.

"Jump 'im! Jump 'im, Hank! We'll see fair play."

"Stand yer ground, Brad!" shouted the friends of the speaker. "We'll
see they come one at a time."

"Oh, see here! No fightin'," shouted others. The man Hank was not to be
silenced. He pushed his way to the wagon-wheel and shook his extended
fist at the speaker.

"Take that back, you"--

Bradley caught him by his uplifted wrist, and bracing himself against
the wheel, jerked his assailant into the wagon-box, and tumbled him out
in a disjointed heap on the other side before he could collect his
scattered wits.

Then Bradley stood up in his splendid height and breadth. "I say it's
the truth; and if there are any more rowdies who want 'o try yankin' me
out o' this wagon, now's your time. You never'll have a better chance."
Nobody seemed anxious. The cheers of the crowd and the young orator's
determined attitude discouraged them. "Now I'll tell yeh who the man
was who presented that order. It was William Bacon; mebbe some o' you
fellers want to tell him _he_ lies."

He finished his speech without any marked interruption, and was roundly
congratulated by the farmers. On the way back to Rock River, however,
he seemed very much depressed, while Milton exulted over it all.

"Gosh! I wish I had your muscle, old man