If you think you've any redress in the courts, my name is Reade and you can hire a lawyer and get after me as hard and as fast as you like." "I'll take personal satisfaction out of you!" stormed the fellow.
"All right," Tom agreed laconically.

"You may start now, if you feel like doing it.

I'll agree that none of my friends or workmen shall take any part in anything you feel like starting.

If you can thrash me then you shall be allowed to depart in peace after you've done it." Tom did not put up his hands, though he watched keenly to see whether the stranger meant to attack him.

The stranger muttered unintelligible threats, then he turned to the laborers pressing about him.
"Men," he demanded, "are you going to be free, or are you going to allow yourselves to be treated like a lot of slaves by this boy ?" "If that's all you've got to say," Tom warned "you may as well start now." "Start ?" scoffed the sallow-faced one.