Avoiding the blow which the boy aimed at him, he leaped upon him, and flung his arms round his neck.

The sudden shock overthrew him, and with a crash both boys came to the ground together.
Ned at once loosened his hold, and springing to his feet again, awaited the rising of his opponent.

The latter made a movement to get up, and then fell back with a cry.
"Thou hast beaten me," he said.

"Oi think moi leg be broke." Ned saw now that as the lad had fallen his leg had been twisted under him, and that he was unable to extricate it.

In a moment he was kneeling before the prostrate lad.
"Oh! I am sorry," he exclaimed; "but you know I didn't mean to do it.
Here, Tompkins, don't sit there like a fool, but come and help me move him and get his leg straight." Although the boys did this as gently as they could, a groan showed how great was the agony.
"Where is it ?" Ned asked.
"Aboove the knee somewhere," the lad said, and Ned put his hand gently to the spot, and to his horror could feel something like the end of a bone.
"Oh! dear, what is to be done?
Here, Tompkins, either you or I must go on to the town for help." "It's getting dark already," Tompkins said; "the sun has set some time.
How on earth is one to find the way ?" "Well, if you like I will go," Ned said, "and you stop here with him." The lad, who had been lying with closed eyes and a face of ghastly pallor, now looked up.
"There be soom men not a quarter of a mile away; they be a-drilling, they be, and oi was sot here to stop any one from cooming upon em; but if so bee as thou wilt go and tell em oi has got hurt, oi don't suppose as they will meddle with ye." Ned saw now why the lad had opposed his going any further.