cling his neck. He had once before been treated much
in the same manner, but who or what his present assailant was he could
not tell. The nails were long, and the hands not a little grimy, while
the knees of his assailant kept pressing his ribs in a most unpleasant
manner. Blackall's look of horror showed that he fully believed that he
had been seized by a big baboon, or some monster who might strangle him.

"Now at him again, Tom, and don't let him go till he has promised never
to attack you more," said a voice, which Blackall recognised as that of
Gregson.

However, Tom was this time too much hurt to get up, and he lay moaning
on the grass, anxiously wishing that some one would come to his rescue.
Gregson had, it appears, been up in a tree hunting for young squirrels
and various insects. He had remained a spectator of the fight for some
time, thinking that he could not do much good by his interference.
When, however, he saw how hard it was going with Tom, he resolved to go
to his help. Descending a tree, he climbed along one of the lower
branches, from the end of which he had easily dropped down on the
bully's back. There he clung, like the old man of the sea who clung to
the back of Sinbad the sailor. But, as I have said, Blackall was a very
powerful fellow, and after he had got over his terror at this sudden
assault, he used every means to get rid of his assailant. He could not
shake him off; and Gregson did not flinch from all the pinches and blows
behind his back which he received. At last, Blackall bethought him of
backing against a tree. Unfortunately for the young naturalist, one
with some stout branches grew near, and Blackall backed up to it, till
he bumped it with such force that he very nearly broke both his back and
his head, and he was very soon fain to let go. No sooner was he on the
ground than the bully vented all his fury on him, and knocking him over
with a blow of his ox-like fist, kicked and cuffed him till he was even
in a worse condition than Bouldon.

"I'll teach you to play your pranks on me, you young scoundrel," he
exclaimed. "However, you could not have chosen a better place, for
there is no one likely to come here to interfere with us, and I intend
to pay you both off in a way you will not fancy, let me tell you that.
My fists are rather heavy, so I do not intend to use them, lest I should
kill you outright, but I have a colt about me, of which you shall now
have a taste." Sa