however, who led the mob. Among them Ralph recognized Ted Evans, a son of the fireman he had encountered at the roundhouse two days previous. With him was a fellow named Hemp Gaston, an old associate of Mort Bemis.
"Hold on, there!" sang out Gaston, grabbing the bridles of the horses. "What you spoiling our fun for?"
"Yes," added Ted Evans, springing to the wagon step and seizing Ralph's arm. "Get off that wagon, or we'll pull you off."
Ralph swung the fellow free of the vehicle with a vigorous push.
"See here, you interfere with my boy and I'll take a hand in this affair myself," growled Jim Evans, advancing from the crowd of men.
"You'll whip me first, if you do," answered one of them. "This is a boys' squabble, Jim Evans, and don't you forget it."
"Humph! he struck my boy."
"Then let them fight it out."
"Yes," shouted young Evans angrily, "come down here and show that you are no coward."
"Very well," said Ralph promptly. "There's one for you!"
Ralph Fairbanks had acted in a flash on an impulse. He had leaped from the wagon, dealt young Evans one blow and sent him half-stunned
