der, he supposed every member of the
party would be on the alert to defend him; but in this he was mistaken.

As soon as Amos and Jim showed themselves, the shower of missiles
ceased, and the mischief-makers stepped aside to give them free
passage.

"Close up here!" Hardy shouted, frantically. "Why are you fellows
backing down now? There are enough of us to flog the life out of this
portion of the murderer's family! Stand by me! Are you going to allow
both these boys to do as they please, without your lifting a hand?"

"Only one of us will deal with you, Hardy Baker," Amos cried angrily,
as he seized him by the collar. "Stand back, Jim, and see that I have
fair play. There's no need of your doing anything, unless this
barber's gang do as he asks them."

"Help! Help! Come here, some of you fellows! What did you promise
before we left Liberty Hall?" Hardy shouted frantically, as he writhed
in Amos's clutch.

One or two of the party made a movement, as if they would answer this
appeal; but Jim Gray, although he had no appearance of an athlete,
looked particularly dangerous as he said, sharply:

"If you are wise, you'll keep your distance. Hardy Baker brought you
here to insult honest people who would scorn to have dealings with
informers, even though they do chance to be of the same family. He
lied to you, and you should let him attend to his own affairs. It is
an even-handed battle, and both shall have fair play so far as I am
concerned."

"That is all any fellow could ask for," one of the party cried,
forgetting, in his desire to witness the encounter, that he had come
on an alleged public mission. "If you'll agree not to touch our man,
we will see to it that yours has his rights."

"That's all I want," Jim replied, grimly, and added to Amos, who, still
holding Hardy firmly by the collar, had stopped to learn what part the
barber's followers proposed to take: "Now is your time; the rest of
these fellows agree to fair play, and I reckon no one will disturb you."

Hardy Baker was terrified, as could be told by the expression on his
face, and he cried, shrilly:

"Why don't some of you cowards do as you agreed, and stand by me?"

"That's what we're going to do," the boy who had spoken with Jim
replied. "No one shall interfere, and you said it wouldn't take you
five minutes to disable Amos Richardson for life. Now go ahead and do
it. If any one attempts to help him, we'll pitch in."

There was no further opport