Turn about, young bumpkin, I say. Drive
your cattle into camp. For the King's service."
"They are father's," sturdily replied Jeph, and called aloud for
"Father."
He was answered with a rude shout of derision, and poor Croppie was
pricked with the sword's point to turn her away. Jeph was wild with
passion, and struck back the sword with his stick so unexpectedly
that it flew out of the trooper's hand. Of course, more than one
stout man instantly seized the boy, amid howls of rage; and one heavy
blow had fallen on him, when Kenton dashed forward, thrusting himself
between his son, and the uplifted arm, and had begun to speak, when,
with the words "You will, you rebel dog?" a pistol shot was fired.
Jeph saw his father fall, but felt the grasp upon himself relax, and
heard a voice shouting, "How now, my men, what's this?"
"He resisted the King's requisition, your Grace," said one of the
troopers, as a handsome lad galloped up.
"King's requisition! Your own robbery. What have you done to the
poor man, you Schelm? See here, Rupert," he added, as another young
man rode hastily up.
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