. Abraham Lincoln; a history . perstitions of civil-ization. At first they did not seem inclined tomolest young Lincoln. His appearance did notinvite insolence; his reputation for strength and 80 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Chap. IV. activity was a gieater pro-tection to Mm than his in-offensive good-nature. Butthe loud admiration ofOffutt gave them led to dispute, contradic-tions, and finally to a formalbanter to a was greatly averseto all this wool-ing and pulling,as he called Offutts indis-cretion had madeit necessary forhim to show hismettle. Jack Arm-strong,
. Abraham Lincoln; a history . perstitions of civil-ization. At first they did not seem inclined tomolest young Lincoln. His appearance did notinvite insolence; his reputation for strength and 80 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Chap. IV. activity was a gieater pro-tection to Mm than his in-offensive good-nature. Butthe loud admiration ofOffutt gave them led to dispute, contradic-tions, and finally to a formalbanter to a was greatly averseto all this wool-ing and pulling,as he called Offutts indis-cretion had madeit necessary forhim to show hismettle. Jack Arm-strong, the leadingbully of the gang,was selected tothrow him, andexpected an easyvictory. But hesoon found him-seK in differenthands from anyhe had heretoforeengaged with. See-ing he could notmanage the tall stranger, his friends swarmed in,and by kicking and tripping nearly succeeded ingetting Lincoln down. At this, as has been said ofanother hero, the spirit of Odin entered into him,and putting forth his whole strength, he held the. NEW SALEM 81 pride of Clarys Grove in his arms like a child, and choked the exuberant life out of him. Fora moment a general fight seemed inevitable; butLincoln, standing undismayed with his back to thewall, looked so formidable in his defiance that anhonest admiration took the place of momentary fury,and his initiation was over. As to Armstrong, hewas Lincolns friend and sworn brother as soon ashe recovered the use of his larynx, and the bondthus strangely created lasted through life. Lincolnhad no further occasion to fight his own battleswhile Armstrong was there to act as his two friends, although so widely different, werehelpful to each other afterwards in many ways,and Lincoln made ample amends for the liberty hishands had taken with Jacks throat, by saving, ina memorable trial, his sons neck from the halter. This incident, trivial and vulgar as it may seem,was of great importance in Lincolns life. Hisbehavior in this ign
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