It seemed simple enough, at first, to draw a warrant for old Zack's arrest, but legal difficulties arose.

He could not well be taken for assault, for it was the lawyer that had attacked him; or for wanton mischief, for his intent in going to school was not mischievous; or yet for trespass, for he had offered to pay for his schooling.
There was no doubt that on account of his age he had no business in the school and that the board had the right to refuse him schooling; yet it was not easy to word his offense in such a way that it constituted a misdemeanor that could properly be stated in a warrant for his arrest.
Several warrants were drawn, all of which, on the ground that they were legally dubious, the resident justice of the peace refused to sign.
"I am not going to get the town mixed up in a lawsuit for damages," said the justice.

"Lurvey is a doughty fighter at law, as well as physically, and he has got the money to fight with." The proceedings hung fire for a week or more.

The school board sent an order to the master not to hear old Zack's lessons or to give him any instructions whatever.

But the old fellow came to school just the same, and poor Cobb had to get along with him as best he could.