He remembers how I thrashed him once when he said something to Marion one day." Neil was as cool as though acting his part in a play.

His face was flushed, his eyes gleamed fearlessly defiant.

And Nathaniel, looking upon the courage of this man, from under whose feet had been swept all hope of life, felt a twinge of shame at his own nervousness.

MacDougall grew black with passion at the taunting reminder of his humiliation and tightened the thongs about Neil's wrists until they cut into the flesh.
"That's enough, you coward!" exclaimed Nathaniel, as he saw the blood start.

"Here--take this!" Like lightning he struck out and his fist fell with crushing force against the side of the man's head.