Healing her heart

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Title:FacingDeath
TheHerooftheVaughanPit.ATaleoftheCoalMines
Author:G.A.Henty
Illustrator:GordonBrowne
ReleaseDate:January30,2010[EBook#31128]
[Lastupdated:December4,2013]
Language:English

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BULLDOGFINDSAFRIEND.
BULLDOGFINDSAFRIEND.


FACINGDEATH
OR,


THEHEROOFTHEVAUGHANPIT.

ATALEOFTHECOALMINES.
BY


G.A.HENTY,
Authorof"WithCliveinIndia;""InFreedom'sCause;"
"BySheerPluck;""UnderDrake'sFlag;"&c.

WITHEIGHTFULL-PAGEILLUSTRATIONSBYGORDONBROWNE.

LONDON:BLACKIE&SON,LIMITED;
NEWYORK:CHARLESSCRIBNER'SSONS,
743AND745BROADWAY


CONTENTS.
CHAP.
I. EVILTIDINGS,
II. BULL-DOG,
III. THERESOLUTION,
IV. THEVAUGHANPIT,
V. SETTINGTOWORK,
VI. "THEOLDSHAFT,"
VII. FRIENDSHIP,
VIII. PROGRESS,
IX. THEGREATSTRIKE,
X. HARDTIMES,
XI. THEATTACKONTHEENGINE-HOUSE,
XII. AFTERTHESTRIKE,
XIII. AHEAVYLOSS,

XIV. THENIGHT-SCHOOL,
XV. THESEWING-CLASS,
XVI. ANEWLIFE,
XVII. THEDOGFIGHT,
XVIII. STOKEBRIDGEFEAST,
XIX. THEGREATRIOT,
XX. THEARMOFTHELAW,
XXI. AKNOTTYQUESTION,
XXII. THESOLUTION,
XXIII. THEEXPLOSIONATTHEVAUGHAN,
XXIV. INDEADLYPERIL,
XXV. THEIMPRISONEDMINERS,
XXVI. ACRITICALMOMENT,
XXVII. RESCUED,
XXVIII. CHANGES,

PAGE
9
16
31
39
49
54
64
74
80
96
105
117
124

134
146
156
166
173
183
193
201
209
222
235
239
253
259
274


XXIX. THENEWMANAGER,
XXX. RISEN,
XXXI. CONCLUSION,

283
289
298


ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
BULLDOGFINDSAFRIEND,
Frontispiece.

INTHEOLDSHAFT—CANHEBESAVED?
58
NELLY'SFIRSTLESSON,
70
ALIFEORDEATHSTRUGGLE,
113
JACKISVICTORIOUS,
170
THENEWSCHOOLMISTRESS,
217
AFTERTHEFIRSTEXPLOSION—THESEARCHPARTY,
237
SAVED!
270


FACINGDEATH:
OR,HOWSTOKEBRIDGEWASCIVILIZED.


CHAPTERI.
EVILTIDINGS.
A row of brick-built houses with slate roofs, at the edge of a large mining
villageinStaffordshire.Thehousesaredingyandcolourless,andwithoutrelief
ofanykind.Soarethoseinthenextrow,sointhestreetbeyond,andthroughout
thewholevillage.Thereisadrearymonotonyabouttheplace;andifsomegiant
couldcomeandpickupalltherowsofhouses,andchangetheirplacesonewith
another,itisaquestionwhetherthemen,nowawayatwork,wouldnoticeany
differencewhateveruntiltheyenteredthehousesstandingintheplaceofthose
whichtheyhadleftinthemorning.Thereisachurch,andavicaragehalfhidden

awayinthetreesinitsprettyold-fashionedgarden;therearetwoorthreesmall
red-bricked dissenting chapels, and the doctor's house, with a bright brass
knockerandplateonthedoor.Therearenootherbuildingsabovethecommon
average of mining villages; and it needs not the high chimneys, and enginehouseswithwindinggear,dottingthesurroundingcountry,tonotifythefactthat
Stokebridgeisaminingvillage.
It is a little past noon, and many of the women come to their doors and look
curiously after a miner, who, in his working clothes, and black with coal-dust,
walksrapidlytowardshishouse,withhisheadbentdown,andhisthickfelthat
slouchedoverhiseyes.
"It'sBillHaden;heworksatthe'Vaughan.'"
"Whatbringsheupatthishour?"
"Summatwrong,I'llbebound."
BillHadenstoppedatthedoorofhishouseintherowfirstspokenof,liftedthe
latch,andwentin.Hewalkedalonganarrowpassageintotheback-room.His
wife, who was standing at the washing-tub, turned round with a surprised
exclamation, and a bull-dog with half-a-dozen round tumbling puppies
scrambledoutofabasketbythefire,andrushedtogreethim.
"Whatisit,Bill?what'sbroughttheehomebeforetime?"


For a moment Bill Haden did not answer, but stooped, and, as it were
mechanically,liftedthedogandstrokeditshead.
"There'sbloodonthyhands,Bill.Whatbewrongwith'ee?"
"Itbain'tnoneofmine,lass,"themansaidinanunsteadyvoice."ItbeJack's.He
begone."
"NotJackSimpson?"
"Ay, Jack Simpson; the mate I ha' worked with ever since we were butties
together.Afalljustcameasweworkedsidebysideinthestall,anditbrokehis
neck,andhe'sdead."
Thewomandroppedintoachair,threwherapronoverherhead,andcriedaloud,

partly at the loss of her husband's mate, partly at the thought of the narrow
escapehehadhimselfhad.
"Now,lass,"herhusbandsaid,"therebenotimetolose.Itbefortheetogoand
breakittohiswife.Iha'comestraighton,apurpose.Ithawttodoit,butIfeel
likeagalmyself,andithadbestbetoldherbyanotherwoman."
JaneHadentookherapronfromherface.
"Oh,Bill,howcanIdoit,andsheill,andwithatwo-monthbaby?Imisdoubt
meitwillkillher."
"Thou'stgottodoit,"Billsaiddoggedly,"andthou'dbestbequickaboutit;it
won'tbemanyminutesaforetheybringhimin."
WhenBillspokeinthatwayhiswifeknew,ashesaid,thatshe'dgottodoit,and
withoutawordsheroseandwentout,whileherhusbandstoodstaringintothe
fire,andstillpattingthebull-doginhisarms.Atearfallingonhishandstartled
him.Hedroppedthedogandgaveitakick,passedhissleeveacrosshiseyes,
andsaidangrily:
"BlestifIbain'tacryinglikeagal.Who'dathawtit?Well,well,pooroldJack!
hewasagoodmatetoo"—andBillHadenproceededtolighthispipe.
Slowly and reluctantly Mrs. Haden passed along the row. The sad errand on
whichshewasgoingwasonethathasoftentobedischargedinalargecolliery
village. The women who had seen Bill go in were still at their doors, and had
been joined by others. The news that he had come in at this unusual hour had


passedaboutquickly, andthere was ageneralfeelingofuneasiness amongthe
women,allofwhomhadhusbandsorrelativesbelowground.When,therefore,
JaneHadencameoutwithsignsoftearsonhercheeks,herneighboursoneither
sideatonceassailedherwithquestions.
"JackSimpson'skilledbyafall,"shesaid,"andIha'gottobreakittohiswife."
Rapidly the news spread along the row, from door to door, and from group to
group. The first feeling was everywhere one of relief that it was not their turn

this time; then there was a chorus of pity for the widow. "It will go hard with
her,"wasthegeneralverdict.Thenthelittlegroupsbrokeup,andwentbackto
theirworkofgettingreadyforthereturnoftheirhusbandsfromthepitattwo
o'clock. One or two only, of those most intimate with the Simpsons, followed
Jane Haden slowly down the street to the door of their house, and took up a
position a short distance off, talking quietly together, in case they might be
wanted, and with the intention of going in after the news was broken, to help
comfort the widow, and to make what preparations were needed for the last
incomingofthelatemasterofthehouse.Itwasbutaminuteortwothattheyhad
topause,forthedooropenedagain,andJaneHadenbeckonedthemtocomein.
Ithad,asthegossipshadpredicted,gonehardwiththeyoungwidow.Shewas
sittingbeforethefirewhenJaneentered,working,androckingthecradlebeside
withherfoot.Atthesightofhervisitor'spaleface,andtear-stainedcheeks,and
quivering lips, she had dropped her work and stood up, with a terrible
presentimentofevil—withthatdreadwhichisneveraltogetherabsentfromthe
mindofacollier'swife.Shedidnotspeak,butstoodwithwide-openeyesstaring
athervisitor.
"Mary,mypoorgirl,"Mrs.Hadenbegan.
Thatwasenough,thewholetruthburstuponher.
"Heiskilled?"shegasped.
Mrs.Hadengavenoanswerinwords,butherfacewassufficientasshemadea
stepforwardtowardstheslightfigurewhichswayedunsteadilybeforeher.Mary
Simpsonmadenosoundsaveagaspingsob,herhandwenttoherheart,andthen
shefellinaheapontheground,beforeMrs.Haden,preparedasshewas,had
timetoclaspher.
"ThankGod,"JaneHadensaid,asshewenttothefrontdoorandbeckonedthe


othersin,"shehasfainted."
"Ay,Ithawtasmuch,"oneofthewomensaid,"andagoodjobtoo.It'salways

bestsotillheisbroughthome,andthingsarestraightenedup."
BetweenthemMarySimpsonwastenderly lifted,and carried upstairsandlaid
onthebedofalodger'sroomthere.Thecradlewasbroughtupandputbesideit,
andthenJaneHadentookherseatbythebed,onewomanwentforthedoctor,
while the others prepared the room below. In a short time all that remained of
Jack Simpson was borne home on a stretcher, on the shoulders of six of his
fellow-workmen,andlaidinthedarkenedroom.Thedoctorcameandwentfor
thenexttwodays,andthenhisvisitsceased.
IthadgonehardwithMarySimpson.Shehadpassedfromonelongfaintingfit
into another, until at last she lay as quiet as did Jack below; and the doctor,
murmuring"Aweakheart,poorlittlewoman;theshockwastoomuchforher,"
tookhisdepartureforthelasttimefromthehouse.ThenJaneHaden,whohad
notleftherfriend'ssideeversinceshewascarriedupstairs,wrappedthebabyin
ashawlandwenthome,aneighbourcarryingthecradle.
WhenBillHadenreturnedfromworkhefoundtheroomdoneup,thetablelaid
fortea,andthekettleonthefire.Hiswifewassittingbyitwiththebabyonher
lap.
"Well,lass,"hesaid,asheenteredtheroom,"sothepoorgal'sgone.Ihearditas
Icamealong.Thou'st'shadahardtwodayson't.Hulloa!what'sthat?"
"It'sthebaby,Bill,"hiswifesaid.
"Whathastbroughtunherefor?"heaskedroughly.
Jane Haden did not answer directly, but standing in front of her husband,
removedthehandkerchiefwhichcoveredthebaby'sfaceashelayonherarm.
"Lookathim,Bill;he'ssomethinglikeJack,don'tthouseeit?"
"Notabitofit,"hesaidgruffly."Kidsdon'ttakeaftertheirfather,aspupsdo."
"Icanseethelikenessquiteplain,Bill.Now,"shewenton,layingherhandon
hisshoulder,"Iwanttokeephim.Weain'tgotnoneofourown,Bill,andIcan't
abearthethoughtofhisgoingtotheHouse."
BillHadenstoodirresolute.

"Ishouldn'tliketothinkofJack'skidintheHouse;stillhe'llbeaheapoftrouble
—worsenoradozenpups,andnochanceofwinningaprizewithhimnohow,or
ofsellinghim,orswoppinghimifhispointsdon'tturnoutright.Still,lass,the
troublewillbethine,andbythetimehe'stenhe'llbegintoearnhisgrubinthe
pit;soifthymindbeseton't,there's'nendo'thematter.Nowlet'shavetea;I
ain'thadamealfitforadogforthelasttwodays,andJunoain'tgothermilk
regular."
SolittleJackSimpsonbecameamemberoftheHadenfamily,andhisfatherand
motherwerelaidtorestintheburying-groundonthehillsideabovethevillage.


CHAPTERII.
BULL-DOG.
Acuriousgroupastheysitstaringintothefire.JunoandJuno'sdaughterBess,
brindles both, with their underhanging lower jaws, and their black noses and
wrinkled faces, andJackSimpson, nowsixyearsold,sittingbetweenthem, as
graveandasimmovableashissupporters.Onedogisoneithersideofhimand
hisarmsarethrownroundtheirbroadbacks.Mrs.Hadenislayingthetablefor
herhusband'sreturn;sheglancesoccasionallyatthequietgroupinfrontofthe
fire,andmutterstoherself:"Ineverdidseesuchachildinallmyborndays."
Presently a sudden and simultaneous pricking of the closely-cropped ears of
Juno and Bess proclaim that among the many footsteps outside they have
detectedthetreadoftheirmaster.
JackacceptstheintimationandstrugglesuptohisfeetjustasBillHadenliftsthe
latchandenters.
"It'safineday,Bill,"hiswifesaid.
"Beit?"thecollierrepliedinreturn."Itooknonoteo't.Howeveritdoantrain,
andthat'sallIcaresfor.Andhow'sthedogs?DidyougiveJunothatphysicball
Igotforher?"

"It'snomannerofuse,Bill,leavingtheymesseswi'me.Iha'touldyousoscores
o'times.Shewoanttakeitfromme.Shesetsherjawsthatfastthathorsescould
napull'emapart,andallthewhileI'mtryingshekeepsoopagrowlliket'organ
atthechurch.She'sa'rightwi'outthephysic,andwellnighpinnedMrs.Brice
whenshecameinto-daytoborrowaflatiron.Shewasthatfrightedsheskirled
outandwellnighfaintedoff.IhadtosendJackroundtothe"Chequers"fortwo
o'ginbeforeshecameround."
"Mrs.Briceisafoolandyou'reanother,"Billsaid."Now,ooman,justtakeoff
my boots for oim main tired. What be you staring at, Jack? Were you nearly
pinningMotherBricetoo?"
"Idoantpinfolk,Idoant,"Jacksaidsturdily."Ikicks'em,Ido,butIcaughthold


o'Juno'stail,andheldon.Andlook'eehere,dad,I'vebeenathinking,doant'ee
liftIoopbymyearsnomore,notyet.Theyareboathmainsore.Idoantbelieve
neitherJunonorBesswouldstandbeinliftedoopbytheirears,notiftheywere
sore.Ibegameenough,Ibe,buttillmyearsbewellyoumusttrysomeother
part.Iexpectthecheekwouldhurtjustasbad,soyoucantrythat."
"Idowish,Bill,youwouldnottrythesetricksontheboy.He'sgameenough,
andifyou'dha'seenhimfightingto-daywithMrs.Jackson'sBill,nightwiceas
bigashimself,you'dha'saidsotoo;butitain'tChristian-liketotrychildrenthe
samewayaspups,andreallyhisearsaresore,awfulsore.Ichancedt'notice'em
whenIwashedhisfaceaforehewenttoschool,andtheybemainbad,Itell'ee."
"Coom here," the miner said to Jack. "Aye, they be sore surely; why didn't 'ee
speakafore,Jack?Idoantwanttohurt'ee,lad."
"Iwa'n'tgoingtospeak,"Jacksaid."Motherfounditout,andsaidshe'dtell'ee
o't;butthelasttwonightsIwerewellnighyelpingwhen'eetookmeup."
"You'reagoodplucked'un,Jack,"BillHadensaid,"andIowtnott'hadoneit,
butIdidn'tthinkithurt'ee,leastwaysnotmorenoraboyowttobehurt,totryif
'eebegame!"

"And what's you and t' dogs been doing to-day, Jack?" the miner asked, as he
beganathisdinner.
"Wewentforawalk,dad,afterschool,outinthelanes;wesawabigblackcat,
andt'dogschasedherintoatree,thenwegot'tapond,andd'yeknow,dad,Bess
wentinandswamabout,shedid!"
"Shedid?"theminersaidsharply."Coomhere,Bess;"andleavinghismeal,he
began anxiously to examine the bull-dog's eyes and listened attentively to her
breathing. "That were a rum start for a bull too, Jack. She doant seem to ha'
takennoharm,butmaybeitain'tshoweditself.Mother,yougivehersomehot
grubt'night.Doantyoulethergoint'wateragain,Jack.Whatonairthmadeher
takitintoherheadtogointot'waternoo,Iwonder?"
"Ican'thelpitifshewantsto,"Jacksaid;"shedoantmindI,notwhenshedoant
want tomind.Iweltedhert'otherdaywhen she wantedtogo a'tparson's coo,
butshegotholdo't'stickandpulleditouto'myhand."
"And quite raight too," Bill Haden said; "don't 'ee try to welt they dogs, or I'll
weltthee!"


"Idoantcare,"thechildsaidsturdily;"ifIgoesoutinchargeo'theydogs,theys
got to mind me, and how can I make 'em mind me if I doant welt 'em? What
would'eesaytoIifBessgothadupaforethecourtforpinningt'parson'scoo?"
As no ready reply occurred to Bill Haden to this question he returned to his
meal.JunoandBesswatchedhimgravelytillhehadfinished,andthen,having
eachreceivedalumpofmeatputcarefullyasideforthem,returnedtothefire.
Jack,curlinghimselfupbesidethem,laywithhisheadonJuno'sbodyandslept
tillMrs.Haden,havingclearedthetableandwashedupthethings,senthimout
to play, her husband having at the conclusion of his meal lighted his pipe and
strolledovertothe"Chequers."
BillHadenhad,accordingtohislights,beenagoodfathertothechildofhisold
mateSimpson.Hetreatedhimjustasifhehadbeenhisown.Hespenttwopence

adaylessinbeerthanbefore,andgavehiswifefourteenpenceinadditiontoher
weeklymoneyforhouseholdexpenses,formilkforthekid,justasheallowed
twopenceadayeachforbonesforJunoandBess.Healsowhenrequestedbyhis
wife handed over what sum was required for clothing and shoes, not without
grumbling, however, and comparisons as to the wants of dorgs and boys,
eminently unfavourable to the latter. The weekly twopence for schooling Mrs.
Haden had, during the year that Jack had been at school, paid out of her
housekeeping money, knowing that the expenses of the dogs afforded no
precedentwhateverforsuchacharge.
BillHadenwas,however,liberaltotheboyinmanyways,andwheninagood
temperwouldoftenbestowsuchhalfpenceashemighthaveinhispocketupon
him, and now and then taking him with him into town, returned with such
clothesandshoesthat"mother"heldupherhandsattheextravagance.
AmonghisyoungcompanionsJackwaslikedbutfeared.Whenhehadmoney
he would purchase bull's-eyes, and collecting all his acquaintances, distribute
themamongthem;buthewassomewhatsedateandold-fashionedinhisways,
fromhisclosefriendshipswithsuchthoughtfulandmeditativeanimalsasJuno
andBess,andwhenhiswrathwasexcitedhewasterrible.Neverutteringacry,
howevermuchhurt,hewouldfightwithanobstinacyanddeterminationwhich
generally ended by giving him the victory, for if he once got hold of an
antagonist'shair—pinningcomingtohimnaturally—noamountofblowsorilltreatment could force him to leave go until his agonized opponent confessed
himselfvanquished.


Itwasnotoften,however,thatJackcameincontactwiththechildrenofhisown
age.Hisdutiesasguardianofthe"dorgs"absorbedthegreaterpartofhistime,
andasoneorbothoftheseanimalsgenerallyaccompanied him whenhe went
beyond the door, few cared about having anything to say to him when so
attended; for the guardianship was by no means entirely on his side, and
however excellent their qualities and pure their breed, neither Juno nor Bess

wereanimalswithwhomstrangerswouldhaveventureduponfamiliarity.
Jack'sreportstohis"dad"ofBess'sinclinationtoattackt'parson'scoowasnot
withouteffect,althoughBillHadenhadmadenoremarkatthetime.Thatnight,
however, he observed to his wife: "I've been a thinking it over, Jane, and I be
cometotheopinionthatit'sbettert'boyshouldnotgooutanymorewi't'dorgs.
Let'embideathome,I'lltake'emootwhentheyneedit.IfBesstakesitintoher
headtopinacootheremightbetrouble,anIdoan'twanttrouble.Herlastlitter
o'pupsbroughtmeatenpunnote,andiftheyhadheroopat'acourtandswore
her life away as a savage brute, which she ain't no way, it would pretty nigh
breakmyheart."
Theexecutionofthis,asofmanyothergoodintentions,however,waspostponed
untilaneventhappenedwhichledtoJack'sbeingdefinitelyrelievedofthecare
ofhiscaninefriends.
Two years had passed, when one morning Jack was calmly strolling along the
roadaccompaniedbyJunoandBess.Agigcamerapidlyalongcontainingtwo
young bagmen, as commercial travellers were still called in Stokebridge. The
driver, seeing a child with two dogs, conceived that this was a favourable
opportunityforadisplayofthatsenseofplayfulhumourwhosepointliesinthe
inflictionofpainonothers,withoutanydangerofpersonalconsequencestothe
inflictor.
WithasharpsweephebroughtdownhiswhipacrossJack'sback,managingto
includeBessinthestroke.
Jack set up a shout of mingled pain and indignation, and stooping for a stone,
hurleditafterthemanwhohadstruckhim.Bess'sresponsetotheassaultupon
herwassilent,butaspromptandfarmoreeffectual.Withtwospringsshewas
beside the horse, and leaping up caught it by the nostrils and dragged it to the
ground.
Junoatoncejoinedinthefray,andmadedesperateattemptstoclimbintothegig
andseizeitsinmates,whohadnearlybeenthrownoutasthehorsefell.

Recoveringhimself,thedriver,palewithterror,clubbedhiswhip,andstruckat
Junowiththebutt-end.
"Don't'eehither,"Jackcriedashearrivedonthespot;"ifthoudostshe'lltear'ee
limbfromlimb."
"Callthebruteoff,youlittlerascal,"criedtheother,"it'skillingthehorse."
"Thou'dbestkeepaciviltongueinthyhead,"thechildsaidcoolly,"oritwillbe
badfor'ee.Whatdid'eehitIandBessfor?Itwouldserve'eeroightifshehad
pinned'eeinsteado't'horse."
"Callthemoff,"thefellowshoutedasJuno'steethmetincloseproximitytohis
leg.
"Itbeallverywelltosaycall'emorf,"Jacksaid,"buttheydoan'tmoindImuch.
Have'eegotastrap?"
Themanhastilythrewdownastrap,andthisJackpassedthroughJuno'scollar,
shebeingtooabsorbedinhereffortstoclimbintothegigtoheedwhatthechild
wasdoing;thenhebuckledittothewheel.
"Noo,"hesaid,"yecanlightdownt'otherside.Shecaan'treach'eethere."
Theyoungmenleaptdown,andrantotheheadofthehorse;thepoorbrutewas
making frantic efforts to rise, but the bull-dog held him down with her whole
might.
Jackshoutedandpulled,butinvain;Besspaidnoattentiontohisvoice.
"Canyoubitehistail?"oneofthefrightenedmensaid;"I'veheardthatisgood."
"Boite her tail!" Jack said in contempt; "doan't yer see she's a full-bred un; ye
moightboitehertailoff,andshewouldcarenowtabout't.I'vegotsummathere
thatmaydo."
Hedrewoutatwistedpaperfromhispocket.
"This is snuff," he said; "if owt will make her loose, this will. Now one o' yer
take holt by her collar on each side, and hoult tight, yer know, or she'll pin ye
when she leaves go o' the horse. Then when she sneezes you pull her orf, and
houltfast."

Thefearofthementhatthehorsewouldbekilledoverpoweredtheirdreadof


thedog,andeachtookafirmgripuponitscollar.ThenJackplacedalargepinch
ofsnufftoitsnostrils.Aminutelaterittookeffect,theironjawsunclosedwitha
snap,andinaninstantBesswassnatchedawayfromthehorse,which,delivered
fromitsterriblefoe,sankbackgroaningontheroad.Bessmadethemostfurious
attempts to free herself from her captors, but in vain, and Juno strained
desperatelyatthestraptocometotheassistanceofheroffspring.
"Ha'yegotanotherstrap?"Jackasked.
"There'sachainintheboxundertheseat."
Jackwithsomedifficultyandanamountofdeliberationforwhichthemencould
gladlyhaveslainhim,climbedupintothegig,andpresentlycamebackwiththe
chain.
"Nootak'herroundtot'othersideo'gig,"hesaid;"we'llfastenherjustasJuno
is."
When Bess was securely chained to the wheel the men ran to raise the horse,
wholaywithitsheadinapoolofblood.
"There'sapondinyonfield,"Jacksaid,"if'eewantswater."
AfterBesswassecuredJackhadslippedroundtoJuno,andkepthishandupon
the buckle in readiness to loose her should any attempt be made upon his
personalsafety.Themen,however,wereforthemomenttooscaredtothinkof
him.Itwassometimebeforethehorsewasgotontoitslegs,withawetcloth
wrappedrounditsbleedingwound.FortunatelyBess'sgriphadincludedthebitstrapaswellasthenostrils,andthishadsomewhatlessenedtheseriousnatureof
thehurt.
Jackhadbythistimepacifiedthedogs,andwhenthemenlookedround,after
gettingthehorseontoitslegs,theywerealarmedtoseehimstandingbyquietly
holdingthedogsbyastrappassingthroughtheircollar.
"Doan't'eetrytogetintothaterecart,"hesaid;"you'vegottogowi'mebackto
Stokebridgetot'lock-oopforhittingIandBess.Nowdoyouwalkquietlyback

and lead t' horse, and oi'll walk beside 'ee, and if thou mov'st, or tries to get
away,oi'llslipt'dogs,youseeifIdoan't."
"Youlittlevillain,"beganoneofthemenfuriously,butadeepgrowlfromBess
in reply to the angry tone at once silenced him; and burning with rage they


turnedthehorse'sheadbacktowardsthevillageandwalkedon,accompaniedby
Jackandhisdogsonguard.
Thearrivalofthisprocessioncreatedmuchexcitement,andacrowdofwomen
andchildrensoongathered.Jack,however,serenelyindifferenttoquestionsand
shouts,proceededcoollyonhiswayuntilhearrivedattheresidenceofthelocal
constable,who,hearingthedin,appearedathisdoor.
"MaisterJohnson,"thechildsays,"IgivethemchapsinchargeforsaultingIand
Bess."
"Andwegivethislittleruffianincharge,"shoutedthemen,securethat,inface
of the constable and crowd, Jack could not loose his terrible bull-dogs, "for
settinghisdogsatus,totheriskofourlivesandtheinjuryofourhorse,whichis
somuchhurtthatwebelieveitwillhavetobekilled."
Just at this moment Bill Haden—who had returned from work at the moment
thataboyrunninginreportedthattherewasarow,thatahorsewascoveredwi'
blood,andtwochapsallbluidyovert'handsandclothes,wereagoingalongwi'
Jackandt'dorgsoopstreettolock-oop—arriveduponthespot.
"What'soop,lad?"heaskedashecameup.
"TheychapshitIandBess,dad,andBesspinnedt'horse,andJunowouldha'
pinned 'em boath hadn't I strapped she oop, and then we got Bess orf, and I
brought'embacktot'lock-oop."
"How dar 'ee hit my lad?" Bill Haden said angrily, stepping forward
threateningly.
"Lookoot,dad,ort'dogswillbeat'emagain,"Jackshouted.
Bill seized the strap from the child's hand, and with a stern word silenced the

dogs.
"Well," the constable said, "I can't do nowt but bring both parties afore Mr.
Brook i' the morning. I suppose I needn't lock 'ee all oop. Bill, will you bind
yourselftoproduceJackSimpsont'morrow?"
"Ay,"saidBill,"oi'llproducehim,andhe'llproducehisself,I'mthinking;seems
tomeasJackbeabletotake'sownpart."
This sally was received with laughter and applause, for local feeling was very


stronginStokebridge,andastormofjeersandroughchaffwerepoureduponthe
bagmenforhavingbeenbroughtinprisonersbyachild.
"Thee'dbestgetawaytoth'inn,"theconstablesaid,"elsethey'llbeastoaning
theenext.Therebeonlytwoonushere,andiftheytakesto'twesha'n'tbeable
todomuch."
Sothemen,leadingtheirhorse,wentofftotheInn,groanedandhootedatbythe
crowd on the way. On their arrival a messenger was at once sent off for a
veterinarysurgeonwhoresidedsomefourmilesaway.
On the following morning the parties to the quarrel, the two bagmen and the
injuredhorseontheonehand,andJackSimpsonwiththetwobull-dogsunder
charge of Bill Haden on the other, appeared before Mr. Brook, owner of the
Vaughanpitandacountymagistrate.
Jackfirstgavehisaccountofthetransaction,clearlyandwithmuchdecision.
"Iwarawalkingalongquietwi't'dogs,"hesaid,"whenIhearsacartacoming
from Stokebridge. I looks round and seed they two chaps, but didn't mind no
furtheraboutittillastheycameoopthatsandy-hairedchapaswasadrivinglets
meandBessha'onewhichmademejoomp,Icantell'ee.Bessshepinnedthe
horse,andJunoshetriedtogetintot'cartat'em.Theywerejoostfrighted,they
hollers,andyawps,andlooksaswhiteasmaybe.IfastensJunooopwi'astrap
andtheyhouldsBesswhileIpootsomesnooft'hernose."
"Putwhat?"Mr.Brookasked.

"Joostapinchofsnoof,sir.Iheardfeythersayassnoofwouldmakedogsloose,
andsoIboughtahaporthandcarrieditinmypocket,forth'dogsdon'tmoindoi
whentheyareputoot.AndthentheygetshorseoopandImakes'emcomeback
to t' lock-oop, but maister Johnson," he said, looking reproachfully at the
constable,"wouldn'tlock'emoopasIwantedhim."
Therewas somelaughter amongtheaudience,andeventhemagistrate smiled.
Theyoungmenthengavetheirstory.Theydeniedpointblankthateitherofthem
hadstruckJack,anddescribedhimashavingsethisdogpurposelyonthehorse.
Jackhadloudlycontradictedthem,shouting,'That'salee;'buthadbeenordered
tosilence.Thendrawingbackheslippedoffhisjacketandshirt,andwhenthe
evidencewasclosedhemarchedforwarduptothemagistratebaretothewaist.
"Lookatmoiback,"hesaid;"that'ullspeakforitself."


Itdid;therewasaredwealacrosstheshoulder,andanangryhissranthrough
thecourtattheprisoners,whichwaswithdifficultysuppressed.
"After what I have seen," Mr. Brook said, "there is no doubt whatever in my
mind that the version given by this child is the correct one, and that you
committedacowardlyandunprovokedassaultuponhim.Forthisyou,"hesaid
tothemanwhohaddriventhehorse,"arefined£5oramonth'simprisonment.It
isagoodthingthatcowardlyfellowslikeyoushouldbepunishedoccasionally,
and had it not been that your horse had been severely injured I should have
committedyou toprisonwithoutoptionofafine. Againstyou,"hesaidtothe
other,"thereisnoevidenceofassault.Thechargeagainstthechildisdismissed,
butitisforthefathertoconsiderwhetherhewillprosecuteyouforperjury.At
thesametimeIthinkthatdogsofthispowerfulandferociouskindoughtnotto
beallowedtogooutunderthechargeofachildlikethis."
The man paid the fine; but so great was the indignation of the crowd that the
constablehadtoescortthemtotherailway-station;inspiteofthistheywereso
peltedandhustledonthewaythattheyweremiserablefiguresindeedwhenthey

arrivedthere.
And so Jack was released from all charge of the "dorgs," and benefited by the
change.Newfriendshipsforchildrenofhisownagetooktheplaceofthatfor
the dogs, and he soon took part in their games, and, from the energy and
violence with which, when once excited, he threw himself into them, became
quiteapopularleader.Mrs.Hadenrejoicedoverthechange;forhewasnowfar
more lively and more like other children than he had been, although still
generally silent except when addressed by her and drawn into talk. He was as
fond as ever of the dogs, but that fondness was now a part only instead of the
dominatingpassionofhisexistence.Andsomonthsaftermonthswentonandno
eventofimportanceoccurredtoalterthecurrentofJackSimpson'slife.


CHAPTERIII.
THERESOLUTION.
Anartistsittingintheshadeunderatree,paintingabitofrusticgateandalane
brightwithmanyhoneysuckles.Presentlyheisconsciousofamovementbehind
him,andlookinground,seesasturdilybuiltboyofsometenyearsofage,with
anoldbull-doglyingathisfeet,andanotherstandingbyhisside,watchinghim.
"Well,lad,whatareyoudoing?"
"Nowt!"saidtheboypromptly.
"I mean," the artist said with a smile, "have you anything to do? if not, I will
give you sixpence to sit still on that gate for a quarter of an hour. I want a
figure."
The boy nodded, took his seat without a word, and remained perfectly quiet
whiletheartistsketchedhimin.
"Thatwilldoforthepresent,"theartistsaid."Youcancomeandsitdownhere
and look at me at work if you like; but if you have nothing to do for an hour,
don'tgoaway,asIshallwantyouagainpresently.Hereisthesixpence;youwill
have another if you'll wait. What's your name?" he went on, as the boy threw

himselfdownonthegrass,withhisheadproppeduponhiselbows.
"Bull-dog," the lad said promptly; and then colouring up, added "at least they
callmeBull-dog,butmyrightnamebeJackSimpson."
"AndwhydotheycallyouBull-dog,Jack?"
The artist had a sympathetic voice and spoke in tones of interest, and the lad
answeredfrankly:
"Mother—thatis,myrealmother—shediedwhenIwerealittlekid,andJuno
here,shehadpupsatthetime—notthatone,she'sFlora,threeyearsoldshebe—
andtheyusedtopretendshesuckledme.Itbain'tlikely,beit?"heasked,asif
after all he was not quite sure about it himself. "Schoolmaster says as how it's
writthattherewasoncetwolittlerum'uns,suckledbyawolf,buthecan'tsayfor


sure that it's true. Mother says it's all a lie, she fed me from a bottle. But they
called me Bull-dog from that, and because Juno and me always went about
together;andnowtheycallmesobecause,"andhelaughed,"Itakeagoodlotof
lickingbeforeIgivesin."
"You'vebeentoschool,Isuppose,Jack?"
"Yes,I'vehadfiveyearsschooling,"theboysaidcarelessly.
"Anddoyoulikeit?"
"I liked it well enough; I learnt pretty easy, and so 'scaped many hidings. Dad
saysitwascosmymotherwereaschoolmaster'sdaughteraforeshemarriedmy
father, and so learning's in the blood, and comes natural. But I'm done with
schoolnow,andamgoingdownthepitnextweek."
"Whatareyougoingtodothere?Youaretooyoungforwork."
"Oh,Isha'n'thavenoworktodoint'pit,nothardwork—justtoopenandshuta
doorwhenthetubsgothrough."
"Youmeanthecoal-waggons?"
"Ay,thetubs,"theboysaid."TheninayearortwoIshallgettobeabutty,that
ullbebetterpay;thenIshallhelpdadinhisstall,andatlastIshallbeonfull

wages."
"Andafterthat?"theartistasked.
Theladlookedpuzzled.
"Whatwillyoulookforwardtoafterthat?"
"Idon'tknowthatthere'snowtelse,"theboysaid,"exceptperhapssomedayI
might,perhaps—butitain'tlikely—butImightgettobeaviewer."
"But why don't you make up your mind to be something better still, Jack—a
manager?"
"What!"exclaimedtheboyincredulously;"amanager,likeFenton,wholivesin
thatbighouseonthehill!Why,he'sagentleman."
"Jack," the artist said, stopping in his work now, and speaking very earnestly,
"thereisnotaladofyourageintheland,broughtupasaminer,oramechanic,