The red-faced man, without the slightest warning, swiftly stepped
towards Cameron and, before the latter could defend himself, struck him
a heavy blow. Cameron staggered, fell, and struggled again to his knees.
The red-faced man sprang forward to kick him in the face, when Haley
interposed--

"Hold up there, now! Friend o' Tim's, friend o' mine, ye know!"

"Hurry up," said Sam, closing in on Haley. "Quit fooling. Give 'im the
billy and let's get away!"

But Haley, though unskilled with his hands, was a man of more than
ordinary strength, and he swung his long arms about with such vigour
that neither Sam, who was savagely striking at his head, nor the
red-faced man, who was dancing about waiting for a chance to get in with
the "billy," which he held in his hand, was able to bring the affair to
a finish. It could be a matter of only a few moments, however, for both
Sam and his friend were evidently skilled in the arts of the thug, while
Haley, though powerful enough, was chiefly occupying himself in beating
the air. A blow from the billy dropped one of Haley's arms helpless. The
red-faced man, following up his advantage, ran in to finish, but Haley
gripped him by the wrist and, exerting all his strength, gave a mighty
heave and threw him heavily against Sam, who was running in upon the
other side. At the same time Cameron, who was rapidly recovering,
clutched Sam by a leg and brought him heavily to earth. Reaching down,
Haley gripped Cameron by the collar and hauled him to his feet just as
Sam, who had sprung up, ran to the attack. Steadied by Haley, Cameron
braced himself, and, at exactly the right moment, stiffened his left
arm with the whole weight of his body behind it. The result was a most
unhappy one for Sam, who, expecting no such reception, was lifted
clear off his feet and hurled to the ground some distance away. The
exhilaration of his achievement brought Cameron's blood back again to
his brain. Swiftly he turned upon the red-faced man just as that worthy
had brought Haley to his knees with a cruel blow and was preparing
to finish off his victim. With a shout Cameron sprang at him, the man
turned quickly, warded off Cameron's blow, and then, seeing Sam lying
helpless upon the ground, turned and fled down the lane.

"Say, young feller!" panted Haley, staggering to his feet, "yeh came in
mighty slick that time. Yeh ain't got a bottle on ye, hev yeh?"

"No!" said Cameron, "but there's a pump near by."

"