I had been sickened by their crazy devotions, but I was more sickened by this man's barbarity.

It was the woman, too, who had given me food the night before.
So I stepped out, and bade the man release her.
He was a huge, sunburned ruffian, and for answer aimed a clour at my head.

"Take that, my mannie," he said.

"I'll learn ye to follow the petticoats." His scorn put me into a fury, in which anger at his brutishness and the presence of the girl on the sorrel moved my pride to a piece of naked folly.

I flew at his throat, and since I had stood on a little eminence, the force of my assault toppled him over.