nglishman's energy when all around were
sluggishly looking on. He studiously avoided the woods, though, save
when he saw me off upon a ramble; and it was one day when I was standing
by Lilla's side at an open window, previous to taking a long walk, that
our attention was taken up by high words in the yard close at hand.

That Tom was one of the actors was plain enough, for his words came
loud, clear, and angry to where we stood; and it was evident that he was
taking the part of one of the Indian girls, who was weeping, probably
from blows inflicted by one of her countrymen, whose gallantry is not
proverbial.

"You red varmint," cried Tom fiercely, "I'll let you know what's what!
We don't strike women in our country--no, not even if they hit us."

Interested as I was, the recollection of a sharp slap I had heard at
home would come to my memory.

"And I tell you what, if you touch her again I'll make that face of
yours a prettier colour than it is now."

"Pray go and tell my father," whispered Lilla anxiously. "Quarrels here
are very serious sometimes, and end in loss of life."

Crack! There was the sound of a blow followed by a woman's shriek of
pain.

"Why, you cowardly hound!" I heard Tom shout. "You dare hit _her_,
then--you who sneaked off along with your grand Spanish Don when the
boat was upset, and left young miss to drown! You're a brave one, you
are, and then you all go and take the credit, when it was my Mas'r Harry
who saved her. Take that, you beggar, and that--and that!"

Tom's words were accompanied by the sounds of heavy blows; and on
leaping out of the window I came upon him, squaring away, and delivering
no meanly-planted blows upon the chests and faces of a couple of
Indians, while a woman crouched, trembling and weeping, and writhing
with pain, upon the ground.

"That's a settler for you anyhow!" said Tom, as he sent one of his
adversaries staggering back for a few yards, to fall heavily, when the
other retreated, but only for both to out with a knife each, and again
come forward to the attack.

But my appearance upon the scene stayed them, and they slunk scowling
away.

"I'll knock the wind out of some on 'em, Mas'r Harry, spite of their
knives," cried Tom excitedly. "I'll let 'em know how an Englishman
serves them that knocks women about. Hit her with a great thick stick,
he did--cuss him! I'll let him know!"

"Be quiet, Tom! Are you mad?" I said, catching him by the collar