"Let me alone!" cried the old man. "If I was to mind babies I'd not mind such a one as you, I'll warrant. 'T would have been better had you remained in England."
"Ha! so you call me a baby?" roared Lieutenant Naster, sourly. "If I am, how do you like that from me?" And he gave the old pioneer a shove that sent him headlong over the roots of a nearby tree.
The action was so cowardly, and so entirely uncalled for, that it made Dave's temper rise on the instant, and regardless of consequences he leaped to where Lieutenant Naster was standing and caught him by the shoulder.
"Leave him alone, you brute!" he ejaculated. "How dare you treat an old man like that?"
In sudden fear the English lieutenant wheeled around. When he saw it was only a boy who had spoken, and a hated provincial at that, his rage returned.
"What do you mean by placing your dirty hand on me!" he roared. "I'll have you arrested on the spot! This to me--an officer of the King's Guard! Preposterous!"
"It wasn't right to molest old Campwell," returned Dave, sturdily. "He is as brave as any of us, and I have heard tell that he has fought well all through this war. You ought----"
"Don't tell me what I ought to do, you dirty little plantation hand! Say another word and I'll report you at headquarters."
"As you please," answered Dave, recklessly. "But if you worry Campwell any more you'll have an account to settle with Colonel Haldimand--and I can tell you that he won't put up with it any more than any of us."
At the mention of the officer in charge of the provincials the English lieutenant was for the moment nonplussed. He knew Colonel Haldimand to be a Swiss-American of stern military bearing and one to whom many of the pioneers were warmly attached.
"You--you threaten me?" he asked, after an ugly pause.
"My affair with this old man was my own--not yours."
"Yes, but I'm glad he took my part," came from Campwell, as he arose slowly to his feet, for the fall had deprived him of his breath. "You took a mean advantage o' me. I've a good mind to fill ye full o' buckshot!" And he caught hold of his gun threateningly.
It was now that Lieutenant Naster showed his true nature. Much of his color forsook him and he retreated in alarm.