d become a
great favorite with them, particularly one called by his companions, "Big
Bill," because of his great size and strength.

He was a rough, good-natured man, with nothing of the bully about him, but
regarded with intense scorn and indignation any attempt on the part of the
strong to tyrannize over the weak and defenceless.

He and his comrades had seen and heard enough in these weeks of labor in
the vicinity of Fox's residence to inspire them with contempt and dislike
toward him on account of his treatment of Max. They had among themselves
already pronounced him "a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hypocrite and a
coward."

They had seen him watching for the boy with his instrument of torture in
his hand, and their wrath had waxed hot.

When Max came in sight they dropped their tools and looked to see what
would happen, and at the first blow "Big Bill" muttering between his
clenched teeth, "I'll settle his hash for him," started for the scene of
action. "Stop that!" he roared, "stop that, you old hypocritical
scoundrel! You hit that boy another lick and I'll knock you as flat as a
flounder!"

The hand that held the whip dropped at Fox's side, and the other loosed
its hold on Max as he turned and faced his assailant.

"What do you mean by coming here to interfere in my business?" he
demanded.

"I mean to protect the weak against the strong, sir. I consider that my
business. You've given that boy more unmerciful beatings already than he
ought to have had in a lifetime, and he not at all a bad boy either. I
know all about that padlock affair, though he's never breathed a word to
me on the subject, and I'd enjoy nothing better than thrashing you
soundly; what's more I'll do it if ever I know you to strike him again; or
my name's not Bill Simpson. Max, if he ever does, you've only to let 'Big
Bill' hear of it and he'll get ten times more than he's given."

"Thank you, Bill," said Max, running to the big, kind-hearted fellow and
giving him his hand. "I'm glad to be protected from him, though I don't
want him hurt if he'll only let me alone."

Fox had already stalked away in the direction of the house, swelling with
inward wrath, but assuming an air of injured innocence and offended
dignity.

Standing in wholesome fear of Max's self-constituted defender, he never
again ventured to lay violent hands on the lad, but contented himself with
inflicting many petty annoyances.

CHAPTER XII.

"Except I be