Download the Full Version of ebook for Fast Typing at ebookmass.

com

Machine Learning, Big Data, and IoT for Medical

Informatics Pardeep Kumar

https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-learning-big-data-and-
iot-for-medical-informatics-pardeep-kumar/

OR CLICK BUTTON

DOWNLOAD NOW

Download More ebook Instantly Today - Get Yours Now at ebookmass.com

 Recommended digital products (PDF, EPUB, MOBI) that
you can download immediately if you are interested.

Machine Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, and IoT in Image

Processing Ashok Kumar

https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-intelligence-big-data-analytics-
and-iot-in-image-processing-ashok-kumar/

ebookmass.com

Big Data Analytics and Machine Intelligence in Biomedical

and Health Informatics Sunil Kuma Dhal

https://ebookmass.com/product/big-data-analytics-and-machine-
intelligence-in-biomedical-and-health-informatics-sunil-kuma-dhal/

ebookmass.com

BIG DATA ANALYTICS: Introduction to Hadoop, Spark, and

Machine-Learning Raj Kamal

https://ebookmass.com/product/big-data-analytics-introduction-to-
hadoop-spark-and-machine-learning-raj-kamal/

ebookmass.com

Demystifying Big Data, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

for Healthcare Analytics Pradeep N Sandeep Kautish Sheng-
Lung Peng
https://ebookmass.com/product/demystifying-big-data-machine-learning-
and-deep-learning-for-healthcare-analytics-pradeep-n-sandeep-kautish-
sheng-lung-peng/
ebookmass.com
Machine Learning Approaches for Convergence of IoT and
Blockchain Krishna Kant Singh

https://ebookmass.com/product/machine-learning-approaches-for-
convergence-of-iot-and-blockchain-krishna-kant-singh/

ebookmass.com

Google Cloud Platform for Data Science: A Crash Course on

Big Data, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics Services
Dr. Shitalkumar R. Sukhdeve
https://ebookmass.com/product/google-cloud-platform-for-data-science-
a-crash-course-on-big-data-machine-learning-and-data-analytics-
services-dr-shitalkumar-r-sukhdeve/
ebookmass.com

Introduction to algorithms for data mining and machine

learning Yang

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-algorithms-for-data-
mining-and-machine-learning-yang/

ebookmass.com

Fundamentals of Machine Learning for Predictive Data

Analytics: Algorithms,

https://ebookmass.com/product/fundamentals-of-machine-learning-for-
predictive-data-analytics-algorithms/

ebookmass.com

IoT and Spacecraft Informatics 1st Edition K.L. Yung

https://ebookmass.com/product/iot-and-spacecraft-informatics-1st-
edition-k-l-yung/

ebookmass.com
Machine Learning, Big Data, and
IoT for Medical Informatics

FIRST EDITION

Pardeep Kumar
Department of CSE & IT, JUIT, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Yugal Kumar
Department of CSE & IT, JUIT, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

Mohamed A. Tawhid
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Thompson Rivers
University, Kamloops, BC, Canada
 Table of Contents

Cover image

Title page

Copyright

Contributors

Preface

Outline of the book and chapter synopses

Special acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Predictive analytics and machine learning for medical

informatics: A survey of tasks and techniques

Abstract

1: Introduction: Predictive analytics for medical informatics

2: Background

3: Techniques for machine learning

 4: Applications

5: Experimental results

6: Conclusion: Machine learning for computational medicine

Chapter 2: Geolocation-aware IoT and cloud-fog-based solutions for

healthcare

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Related work

3: Proposed framework

4: Performance evaluation

5: Conclusion and future work

Chapter 3: Machine learning vulnerability in medical imaging

Abstract

Acknowledgment

1: Introduction

2: Computer vision

3: Adversarial computer vision

4: Methods to produce adversarial examples

5: Adversarial attacks
 6: Adversarial defensive methods

7: Adversarial computer vision in medical imaging

8: Adversarial examples: How to generate?

9: Conclusion

Chapter 4: Skull stripping and tumor detection using 3D U-Net

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Overview of U-net architecture

3: Materials and methods

4: Results

5: Conclusion

Chapter 5: Cross color dominant deep autoencoder for quality

enhancement of laparoscopic video: A hybrid deep learning and
range-domain filtering-based approach

Abstract

Acknowledgments

1: Introduction

2: Range-domain filtering

3: Cross color dominant deep autoencoder (C2D2A) leveraging

color spareness and saliency
 4: Experimental results

5: Conclusion

Chapter 6: Estimating the respiratory rate from ECG and PPG using
machine learning techniques

Abstract

Acknowledgments

1: Introduction

2: Related work

3: Methods

4: Experimental results

5: Discussion and conclusion

Chapter 7: Machine learning-enabled Internet of Things for medical

informatics

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Applications and challenges of H-IoT

3: Machine learning

4: Future research directions

5: Conclusion
Chapter 8: Edge detection-based segmentation for detecting skin
lesions

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Previous works

3: Materials and methods

4: Proposed method

5: Experiment and results

6: Conclusion

Chapter 9: A review of deep learning approaches in glove-based

gesture classification

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Data gloves

3: Gesture taxonomies

4: Gesture classification

5: Discussion and future trends

6: Conclusion

Chapter 10: An ensemble approach for evaluating the cognitive

performance of human population at high altitude
 Abstract

Acknowledgment

1: Introduction

2: Methodology

3: Results and discussion

4: Future opportunities

5: Conclusions

Chapter 11: Machine learning in expert systems for disease

diagnostics in human healthcare

Abstract

Acknowledgment

1: Introduction

2: Types of expert systems

3: Components of an expert system

4: Techniques used in expert systems of medical diagnosis

5: Existing expert systems

6: Case studies

7: Significance and novelty of expert systems

8: Limitations of expert systems

9: Conclusion
Chapter 12: An entropy-based hybrid feature selection approach for
medical datasets

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Background of the present research

3: Methodology

4: Experiment and experimental results

5: Discussion

6: Conclusions and future works

Conflict of interest

Appendix A

Chapter 13: Machine learning for optimizing healthcare resources

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: The state of the art

3: Machine learning for health data analysis

4: Feature selection techniques

5: Machine learning classifiers

6: Case studies

7: Case study 2: COVID-19 data analysis

 8: Summary and future directions

Chapter 14: Interpretable semisupervised classifier for predicting

cancer stages

Abstract

Acknowledgments

1: Introduction

2: Self-labeling gray box

3: Data preparation

4: Experiments and discussion

5: Conclusions

Chapter 15: Applications of blockchain technology in smart

healthcare: An overview

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Blockchain overview

3: Proposed healthcare monitoring framework

4: Blockchain-enabled healthcare applications

5: Potential challenges

6: Concluding remarks
Chapter 16: Prediction of leukemia by classification and clustering
techniques

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Motivation

3: Literature review

4: Description of proposed system

5: Simulation results and discussion

6: Conclusion and future directions

Chapter 17: Performance evaluation of fractal features toward

seizure detection from electroencephalogram signals

Abstract

Acknowledgments

1: Introduction

2: Fractal dimension

3: Dataset

4: Experiments

5: Results and discussion

6: Conclusion
Chapter 18: Integer period discrete Fourier transform-based
algorithm for the identification of tandem repeats in the DNA
sequences

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Related work

3: Algorithm for detection of TRs

4: Performance analysis of the proposed algorithm

5: Conclusion

Chapter 19: A blockchain solution for the privacy of patients’

medical data

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Stakeholders of healthcare industry

3: Data protection laws for healthcare industry

4: Medical data management

5: Issues and challenges of healthcare industry

6: Blockchain technology

7: Blockchain applications in healthcare

8: Blockchain-based framework for privacy protection of

patient’s data
 9: Conclusion

Chapter 20: A novel approach for securing e-health application in a

cloud environment

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Motivation

3: Proposed system

4: Conclusion

Chapter 21: An ensemble classifier approach for thyroid disease

diagnosis using the AdaBoostM algorithm

Abstract

1: Introduction

2: Data analytics

3: Machine learning

4: Approaching ensemble learning

5: Understanding bagging

6: Exploring boosting

7: Discovering stacking

8: Processing drug discovery with machine learning

9: Conclusion
Chapter 22: A review of deep learning models for medical diagnosis

Abstract

1: Motivation

2: Introduction

3: MRI Segmentation

4: Deep learning architectures used in diagnostic brain tumor

analysis

5: Deep learning tools applied to MRI images

6: Proposed framework

7: Conclusion and outlook

8: Future directions

Chapter 23: Machine learning in precision medicine

Abstract

1: Precision medicine

2: Machine learning

3: Machine learning in precision medicine

4: Future opportunities

5: Conclusions

Index
Discovering Diverse Content Through
Random Scribd Documents
“It’s Sheriff Stanyan and ’Squire Hardy. They’ve got here ahead of
us.”
 CHAPTER X.
’SQUIRE HARDY OUTWITTED.

The reins trembled in the hands of Deacon Cornhill, who dared not
contemplate the result of another meeting with his enemy. Rob
proved himself better fitted to meet this emergency, and he asked:
“Is there no other house that we can have?”
“This is the only house on Break o’ Day. There are some sod houses
that the coal burners lived in, but they are not fit places for you to
stay.”
“If others have lived there we can. I do not believe they have seen
us. See? they are dismounting and leading their horses under the
shelter of the trees. Can we get to one of these sod houses without
passing that house?”
“Oh, yes; there are two or three of them down this cartway a short
distance.”
“Then drive down there, and we will see what the ’squire will do.”
Nothing loath, the deacon headed the horses down a narrow grass-
grown path, where neither the footfalls of the animals nor the
revolutions of the wheels gave back any sound.
Little dreaming of the close proximity of those for whom they were
looking, Sheriff Stanyan and ’Squire Hardy, after seeing that their
horses could not stray, hastily sought the old house, that they might
escape the pelting rain while they watched and waited for their prey.
Meanwhile Deacon Cornhill drove slowly along the pathway, where
the bushes overhung them so that they slapped the occupants of the
wagon in the face unless they held them back with their hands. After
going a little way a small clearing was reached, on the upper edge of
which Rob saw the open door of a couple of the oddest dwellings he
had ever seen. In the great city some of his companions had left
dark, dismal quarters under the very streets to come to this remote
region to seek the shelter of low structures built of poles standing up
in slanting position so their tops met, and the inclined plane covered
with grass and sods. The rear ends of these simple dwellings were
formed by big rocks against which they had been constructed, while
the front was open the size of a door. Stone chimneys had been built
at the further extremity, and through the open doorway could be
seen the rough fireplace.
As the deacon stopped the horses in front of one of these primitive
dwellings, Rob and the rest of the boys sprang down to the ground,
and a hasty unloading of the few articles brought was begun. Mrs.
Willet was lifted from the wagon and carried into the sod house, to
be placed on one of the blankets. Then came Mr. Little’s turn, and he
was carried into the rude dwelling just beyond, it having been
decided to divide into two parties.
Deacon Cornhill had not forgotten to take along a small supply of
food, a few potatoes, some flour and pork and other articles of
scarcely less account, though less bulky. But there was no furniture,
and when the last thing had been removed from the wagon and
Deacon Cornhill surveyed the scanty store and the wet, gloomy
surroundings, he could not help feeling a bitter disappointment at the
way his bright plans had turned out.
“Well, keep up good courage, boys, and we will see to-morrow if
something can’t be done for you. This is all my land round about
here, and such as it is make as free with it as if you owned it. I know
it ain’t rich soil, but in the valleys you will find a chance to dip up
patches to plant. The coal burners plowed up some of the best
places, so it won’t be quite like new sod. There is plenty of wood,
and I advise you to build a fire the first thing you do.
“I s’pose I shall have to go home, as mother will be anxious about
me. But I will come up in the morning, when we will lay our plans for
the futur’. I hope the sheriff won’t find you. If he does, you must do
the best you can, Rob. I can’t see how he can arrest you so long as
you are peaceful. I will come up as early as I can to-morrow. Let me
advise the rest of you to mind Rob in what he says. He’s got a good
head on him, and he will help you out if anybody can.”
With these words, the honest-hearted man climbed back to the
wagon-seat, gathered up the reins and headed the horses
homeward, though, as he rode away, his gaze was turned backward
until the bushes hid him from view.
“There is one honest man in this wilderness,” said Mrs. Willet, “but it
seems as if every one else was against us. I suppose we must hope
for the best.”
“To be sure, mother,” replied Rob, who always addressed her thus,
“and with the clearing away of the rain we will hope for better fare.
Come, boys, help me get some wood so we can have a fire.”
The other boys lending their assistance, while Rob’s mother and the
girls cleaned up the interior of the camps, a fire was soon blazing
merrily in each of the rude dwellings, giving a surprising cheerfulness
to the scene. Preparations for supper were begun at once, and
altogether the newcomers were as comfortable and hopeful as could
be expected.
The rain was still falling steadily, though not as rapidly as at first,
while it was growing dark.
Without stopping to eat supper with the others, Rob left the camp to
see if he could learn anything of the two men at the old house,
promising not to be gone long.
Upon coming out into the road within sight of the place no sign of life
was apparent, until he came near enough to see the horses still
standing where their owners had left them.
Rob smiled as he thought of the officers waiting within for the
appearance of himself and companions, while he stationed himself
so he could watch for them to appear, if they were in the house, as
he believed.
Fifteen minutes wore tediously away, and it was becoming too dark
to distinguish an object very far off, when he saw two men leave the
old red house. He had no doubt these were Stanyan and Hardy, a
fact which was made conclusive when he overheard the latter say:
“By Jove, Stanyan! I wouldn’t stay there any longer for all the
hoodlums of New York.”
“So the old red house is haunted after all,” said the companion of the
’squire, and even in the darkness Rob could understand that the two
men were greatly excited, if not frightened, over something they had
seen or heard.
“Them sounds—sort of murder cries—sent the cold chills up my
back,” acknowledged Hardy. “Come, Stanyan, it can’t be the deacon
has taken his tribe up this way, and we might as well go home. What
an awful dark night it is getting to be.”
“It was a mistake we hadn’t come the other way.”
“Oh, well, it can’t make any difference in the end. Wherever they
have gone for the night, we can fix ’em to-morrow, eh? I’ll give you a
cool fifty dollars to help me outwit the rascally deacon, Stanyan!”
“That’s easy enough done, ’squire. Whoa, Tom! what in the world are
you snorting for, just as if you had seen a ghost out here in the
dark?”
“Perhaps he was asleep and you scart him by coming up so
sudden,” said his companion.
“I believe I heard some one move in the bushes!”
 CHAPTER XI.
THE NEWCOMERS.

Rob, who was crouching in the bushes close by, dared not breathe
lest he should be discovered by the sheriff, who came within easy
reach of him. But the sheriff’s search was short, and made in such a
blundering manner that he failed to discover our hero.
“Come, Stanyan,” called out Hardy, “what’s the use of stumbling
around there in the wet bushes? We shall get soaking wet, and I am
always liable to have an attack of rheumatism when I get wet.”
The ’squire was already unhitching his horse, and a minute later Rob
had the satisfaction of hearing the two riding away.
“Good riddance!” said Rob, under his breath, as he started to return
to the coal camps.
When Rob got back to the sod houses containing his friends he
found the others anxiously awaiting him. A plain supper, prepared
after considerable trouble, there being only a couple of small pails in
which to do the cooking, was ready to be eaten by the firelight, and
while our hero joined in with the others, he told what he had seen
and overheard at the old red house, excepting the statements of the
two men in regard to the place being haunted. Rob was wise enough
to believe that no good would come of mentioning such a fact, if it
were true, which he did not even entertain.
After supper further preparations were made for the comfort, such as
could be provided, for the two parties. The united numbers made
fourteen persons in the little band of strangers in a strange land.
These consisted of Robert Bayne, our hero, and his mother, a kind-
hearted woman into whose life had seemed to come all the shadows
and sufferings arising from the evil doings of a husband who was a
fugitive from justice. It was not really known whether Mr. Bayne was
living or not, but if he were, there was a price set on his liberty, and
his wife breathed easier in his absence than she could possibly have
done knowing his whereabouts. Mrs. Bayne had pinned her faith on
Rob, and hoped and looked forward to a future freer from care than
her past twenty years had been. But, in spite of her outward
cheerfulness the shadow of the past still darkened her life.
Then there were Mrs. Willet, the invalid widow, and her only
daughter, Josephine, or Joe, as she was generally called. Joe was
one year younger than Rob, of a cheerful disposition and a willing
worker, with a judgment remarkable for one of her years.
Mr. James Little, still, as he believed, suffering from an injury
received when thrown from a heavy truck wagon in New York City;
his wife Sarah, and their children—Lawrence and Mary—aged,
respectively, eighteen and sixteen, made up another family. We shall
soon learn more of them.
A kind old lady was “Aunt Vinnie,” whose only care—and that was
enough—was to look after her “boys,” Tom and Jerry. The history of
these three was quite unknown, except that Aunt Vinnie claimed the
boys to be the children of a sister who had died when they were very
young. They were twins. At some time the three must have had
surnames, but none of their present companions ever heard them
spoken.
Besides these were the three street waifs, who had been picked up
and championed by Ragged Rob—Chick, Ruddy and Tony—whose
ages ran from ten to twelve years, all of whom were far older in the
varied experiences which come to such outcasts.
Both Mr. Little and Mrs. Willet were given the first attention, and they
were made so comfortable that they slept for the most part of the
night. The younger members, used to sleeping out of doors on the
pavements, or at least under some box or wall, lay down on the
earthen floor of these sod houses and soon fell into a refreshing
sleep. But neither Rob nor his mother sought sleep, while Aunt
Vinnie and Mrs. Little only nodded at times.
The rain cleared away before midnight, and the following morning
the sun shone brightly, and the clear, warm atmosphere of a spring
day made the landscape beautiful and stirred the hearts of the lonely
wayfarers with the spirit of good cheer.
“Isn’t this beautiful, delightful!” cried Joe Willet, clapping her hands in
wild ecstacy of joy. “Look yonder, Rob! did you ever see such lovely
flowers?” pointing to some clumps of mountain laurels. “I can hardly
stop to get breakfast before I pick some of them. Oh, I know we shall
be so happy here; shan’t we, mother?”
“I trust so, my child,” and the mother did not dare to speak of the fear
in her heart.
“The country looks pretty, Joe,” replied Rob, “and I hail it as a good
sign that the storm has cleared away so soon. But I must look
around a bit to see what we can do. I hope Deacon Cornhill will get
here before long.”
Now that it was daylight Rob saw that no signs of a dwelling was in
sight. In fact, it was as quiet, except for the songs of a few birds, as if
they had been left in the heart of a great wilderness. This seemed
very strange for those who had come from the din, bustle and
confusion of the great city.
“We shall soon get used to it,” declared Rob.
“Mercy me!” exclaimed Aunt Vinnie, “I don’t b’lieve I ever can. And
as for Tommy and Jerry, why, they will go just wild.”
After breakfast Rob and Larry went up to the old red house, but
found no evidence that the building had been occupied for some
time. It showed even worse ruin inside than it did outside. At places
boards had been torn off, as if used for fuel, and few of the doors
remained. As they passed from room to room the floor creaked
dismally beneath their feet, while bats and birds flew about their
heads, screaming out as if angry at this invasion of their domains.
“If we come here to live it will require lots of fixing up,” said Rob.
“I don’t care what you think of it,” declared Larry, “but I jess feel like
cutting off my big toe for coming up here into this dead man’s
woods.”
When the forenoon had passed without bringing the deacon to see
them, Rob grew anxious, and soon after dinner, accompanied by
Chick and Ruddy, he started for Basinburg, hoping to meet their
friend on the way.
Finally they came in sight of Basinburg without meeting any one.
Rob was beginning to feel that there was something wrong about the
non-appearance of Deacon Cornhill, and not having been to the
latter’s house, he was obliged to inquire of the first person they met
how to reach his place. This individual proved to be a tall, slab-sided
youth, a little older than Rob, who eyed the other closely without
replying to his question.
“When you get done looking at us,” said Rob, “I shall be glad to have
you tell me where Deacon Cornhill lives.”
“Reckon ’ou’re some uv th’ tribe what came to town yesterday?” he
ventured to question.
“I shall be pleased to have you answer my question,” said Rob.
“By gum! you’re cooners!” and he started on a run toward the village.
“I should say you’re the biggest cooner!” muttered Rob, not liking the
conduct of the other. However, he kept on in the direction of the
town, closely followed by Chick and Ruddy.
The store and post office was soon seen, standing in a little clump of
buildings, and it was evident that the tow-headed youth had spread
the news of their coming, for a crowd was beginning to gather in
front of the place. It required but a glance from Rob to see that the
looks of this party boded him anything but good.
Believing that it was best for him to put on a bold front and meet the
men squarely in whatever they should try to do, Rob showed no
hesitation in his advance.
 CHAPTER XII.
LITTLE HICKORY AROUSED.

It was apparent from the looks of the spectators that they had
anything but a friendly greeting for the newcomers. Among them Rob
saw ’Squire Hardy seated on a big box, closely watching their
approach. A number of boys, whose ages ranged from twelve years
to twenty, had hastily collected, and these pushed themselves
forward into the pathway of the three from Break o’ Day.
One of these, whom Rob was soon to learn was the son of ’Squire
Hardy, immediately made himself prominent, saying, in a sneering
tone, as he pointed at Rob:
“Ain’t he a pretty duck, boys?”
“I wish to ask where Deacon Cornhill lives,” said Rob, concealing his
chagrin at the words of Ralph Hardy.
His intended question was followed by a painful silence, until the
’squire said:
“Well, why don’t you ask your question and have done with it? I
should think you would want to know the fix you have got the pious
old deacon into. Whose barn did you sleep in last night?”
“Nobody’s barn, sir. Will you tell me where Deacon Cornhill lives?”
At this point the ’squire held a hurried consultation with one of his
companions without heeding the words of Rob.
Not caring to have more to say to this crowd, Rob started to go on up
the village, when young Hardy stepped in front of him, saying:
“You ain’t answered the old man’s question yet. Where’d you stop
last night?”
“I do not know as that matters to you as long——”
“Mean to sass me, do you?” demanded Ralph Hardy, doubling up his
fist and acting as if he meant to fight. Half a dozen other boys,
evidently thinking there was going to be some “fun,” pressed forward
closely upon his heels.
By this time Rob and his companions were surrounded, so it looked
as if they would have trouble before they could get away.
“Punch him, Ralph; he’s nothing but a cooner!” called out the voice
of the tow-headed youth from the rear.
None of the men offered to stop the boys, but they watched the
proceedings with evident pleasure.
“I’m not meddling with you; let me go,” said Rob.
“You ain’t answered dad’s question. You can’t go till you have
answered that, you New York hoodlum.”
Though the words and tone of the speaker nettled Rob, he did not
like to begin a quarrel there, which he knew would likely work against
him, whatever the immediate result, so he started to move away
without paying further heed to the pugilistic young Hardy.
At that moment some one threw a ball of mud which struck him upon
the cheek, where the most of it stuck until he had wiped it away.
At this loud laughter, in which the men joined, rang tauntingly on his
ears.
“Looks well!” cried out one of the spectators. “Let me see if I can’t fix
the other cheek like it,” and a second mud-ball struck Rob in the
face, the moist dirt filling one eye so that he could not see plainly
with it. Abused nature could stand no more, and Little Hickory was
aroused. As soon as he could make himself heard for the loud
huzzas that followed this last insult, he said, in a tone that showed
he was in earnest:
“Stand aside, sir, and let me pass.”
“Lay so much as a finger on me if you dare!” replied Ralph Hardy,
without offering to let him pass. “I dare you to touch me!”
“I don’t want any trouble with you,” replied Rob. “We came here
peacefully, and it is you who are making the fuss.”
“You lie!” exclaimed young Hardy, shaking his fist in Little Hickory’s
face, “and daresn’t say you don’t!”
“If it were you alone and myself alone I’d make you eat them words,”
retorted Rob, his face now showing his righteous anger, while he
continued to advance.
“You’re a sneaking, low-lived, dirt-covered hoodlum of the alleys of
New York, and you have no business——”
Ralph Hardy had got so far, when, flourishing his fist in the face of
Little Hickory, he hit him plump on the nose.
It is doubtful if young Hardy had really intended to strike Rob, as it
was his purpose to make the latter begin the fight if he could, and the
blow was not a severe one. But, coupled with what had been said, it
was more than undaunted Little Hickory could bear, and he caught
the surprised bully by the waist with a strength which enabled him to
lift the other clear from the ground.
Just how it was done none of the spectators could say, but they saw
’Squire Hardy’s son descrying a circle in the air, and then he was
carried upward until he fell sprawling in the midst of a big mud
puddle half a rod away.
“Hooray!” cried Chick, who, with Ruddy, had been an anxious
witness of the preceding scene, but his cry was drowned by the
uproar coming from the crowd of men and boys.
“He’s killed Ralph!” shouted ’Squire Hardy. “Take him, boys!”
The onlookers immediately made a rush for the intrepid youth and
his two companions.
For a moment it looked as if Rob would be torn limb from limb, but in
order to do that it was first necessary to catch him.
If Little Hickory did not possess a pair of light feet, he did own a pair
of strong arms.
The first boy to reach him after Ralph shared the fate of the other.
The next was sent headlong to the ground at the foot of the steps
leading to the store.
By this time some of the crowd had rushed upon the rear, to be met
by Chick and Ruddy. This twain, if small, proved themselves to be
worthy of their leader. The first boy to feel their furious resistance
was the tow-headed youth already mentioned, and he was doubled
to the earth by their united efforts. Then they came in pairs, and so
thick and fast that the doughty Chick and Ruddy soon found more on
their hands than they could well handle.
Finding himself so hard pressed that he was likely to be borne to the
ground—crushed by an overwhelming power—Chick nimbly climbed
the tall figure of a stalwart young man, where he perched himself on
his shoulders, keeping his position in spite of the efforts of the other
to take him off.
Ruddy was scarcely less nimble, and finding himself beset by so
many enemies that he could not hold his own, dodged between the
legs of the nearest, sending him heels over head to the ground.
A second shared his fate, and, by dodging to and fro, squirming like
an eel as he passed one after another of the excited assailants,
Ruddy reached the outskirts of the crowd.
He might have easily escaped then, but seeing the desperate
situation of Rob, to say nothing of Chick, he sprang back into the
fight like a little game-cock, that never knows when it is getting the
worst of it.
Assailed upon every hand, Little Hickory, as valiant a battle as he
was waging, sorely needed whatever assistance he could have.
Regardless of what might follow, in his excitement and awakened
determination to win at any cost, he sent his enemies reeling
backward on either hand, fairly forcing his way through the crowd.
“Don’t let the hoodlums get away!” cried ’Squire Hardy, hurrying
forward to join in the fray if necessary. “He’s killed Ralph!”
This announcement was enough to cause the men to take a hand in
the affray, and they rushed into the exciting scene just as Rob had
finally succeeded in reaching the side of Ruddy.
At that moment some one threw a stone the size of a man’s fist, and
the missile striking Little Hickory, he fell to the ground with a low cry
of pain.
“They’ve killed Rob!” cried Ruddy. “I’ll kill the hull scab of ’em!”
Catching up a handful of stones that lay only too handy for him, he
began to hurl them into the midst of the crowd, which so frightened
the men and boys that a hasty retreat was begun.
Crash went a pane of glass, where one of the rocks went hurling
through the store window, followed by a series of wild cries:
“Look out for the little devil or he’ll kill us!”
 CHAPTER XIII.
AN UNEXPECTED CHAMPION.

As Ruddy raised his right arm over his head to throw the missile,
which might have struck some one with deadly effect, a clear, sharp
voice rang out over the startling scene, quickly ending the outbreak:
“Hold, boy! don’t throw that stone, or I will horsewhip you within an
inch of your life!”
The first word had been sufficient to check the rash boy in his
dangerous work, when he turned hastily about to find a man had
ridden close to the edge of the crowd, and, standing up in his
carriage, held a long, stout whip poised over his head ready to send
its stinging lash around his body did he fail to obey him.
“What is all this rumpus about?” demanded this newcomer, who
instantly made himself master of the situation.
“These youngsters are raising particular cain with our boys, Dr.
Menter. I don’t know but they have killed Ralph,” said ’Squire Hardy.
“Looks as if your boy was coming out of it better than this fellow with
the bleeding head,” replied the man in the carriage, who was the
village physician, beginning to step out upon the ground.
Ruddy had dropped the rocks in his hands and stood with looks of
combined fear and wonder. Chick had already dropped from his
perch on a man’s shoulders and sought the side of Ruddy.
“I hope he has been killed!” declared the ’squire.
“Look out what you say, ’Squire Hardy, for such words as those
might make you trouble and be inconvenient to explain in a
courtroom.”
“So you stand up for the hoodlum, do you, doctor?”
“No, sir; I simply speak for fair play. It was a coward who threw that
stone, and he has laid himself open to the law and a serious
punishment if this boy has been fatally injured.”
“He began the quarrel, and it was done in self-defense.”
“Let me advise you as a friend, ’squire, not to say too much. I will
see if the boy is seriously hurt.”
While the other muttered over something under his breath, Dr.
Menter knelt beside Rob, to make an examination of the wound. This
was not found to be of a serious nature, and in a few minutes our
hero was able to sit up.
“You’ve come out all right, youngster,” said the physician, “but it
came pretty near being a close call.”
Upon finding that no one had been killed, the spectators, who had
been rather frightened over the outcome of the affair a little while
before, now boldly stepped forward.
“Stand back!” ordered Dr. Menter. “The boy is coming around all
right, and there is no need of crowding upon us so.”
“Perhaps you have not heard who this fellow is, doctor,” said the
’squire, determined to follow up his side of the question. “He belongs
to a herd of cattle the demented Deacon Cornhill brought into our
midst yesterday from the slums of New York.”
“The deacon has told me of his colonization scheme,” replied the
doctor, smiling. “But I am afraid he will never see it carried out.”
“You are right, there. We are not going to let them stay in town any
longer than it takes to get them out.”
“I do not believe you understand me, ’squire. The deacon took a
sudden cold in the rain yesterday and is sick in bed threatened with
pneumonia.”
As this was a bit of startling news to the spectators, one and all
showed considerable concern.
“No business to have been fooling around with sich critters in the
rain. He’d been all right if he’d gone right home,” declared the
unfeeling ’squire.
“I can’t say about that, but he is a very sick man. There, I guess you
will come out in good shape,” said the physician to Rob, as he
placed a plaster over the cut the latter had received on his head.
“Thank you, sir. I come down to the town to see Deacon Cornhill,”
said Rob. “I do not know what I shall do if he is sick.”
“He certainly cannot do anything for you now. Still, if you want to go
up to his house you can ride with me. I am going right back as soon
as I can go to the post office.”
Rob thanked the physician, who seemed like an honest man, and
concluded to accept his offer. Chick and Ruddy he advised to go
back to Break o’ Day. The crowd continued to scowl upon them, but
the fact that Dr. Menter had spoken in their behalf kept any one,
even ’Squire Hardy, from uttering any further threats against them at
that time.
On the way to the home of Deacon Cornhill the doctor questioned
Rob closely in regard to his situation, when our hero frankly
explained the matter from the time he had met Mr. Cornhill in New
York.
“I am afraid you can’t do much,” said Dr. Menter, frankly, as Rob
concluded. “You do not seem to have anything to work with. Besides,
I should judge that you must all have a very slight idea of getting a
living in the country. You say you want to cultivate the land at Break
o’ Day. What do you know about taking care of crops?”
Rob had to confess that he and his associates knew nothing. In fact,
he realized more than he had ever before the peculiar helplessness
of himself and companions.
“The best thing you can do is to go back to the city,” said the doctor.
“We haven’t the money to do it,” acknowledged Rob. “All together,
we cannot raise a dime.”
The doctor whistled.
“How do you think you are going to live here? Had the deacon
promised you any money?”
“No, sir; but he thought we could get work. We are willing to try our
best.”
“It would be surprising if you all felt that way. I should judge a crowd
picked up in the way yours was would have at least some who would
be deadheads on the hands of the others. You say there are several
among you who are unable to work if they wished?”
“Two,” faltered Rob, for the first time losing courage. Somehow the
candid words of Dr. Menter struck to his heart as nothing said by
others had done.
“Do you know what I think?”
“That we made a mistake in coming?”
“Worse than that, young man. The deacon is famous for his foolish
schemes, and that this caps the climax. No other man in town would
have gone good for Jonas Lyford, and with the prospect of paying up
another’s debt, which is likely to take all he is worth, I should have
thought Deacon Cornhill would have felt like letting you and your
companions alone.”
“We shall not make Mr. Cornhill any extra trouble, sir.”
“The safest way for you to make good your words will be by leaving
town at once. I can see that you have created an unfavorable
impression already. Still, I feel very sure that money enough to pay
your fare to the city will be forthcoming if you conclude to go. I will
give five dollars toward it myself.”
“You are very kind, sir.”
“You think you will go?”
Rob hesitated a moment before replying, but there was no mistaking
his meaning when he spoke, low, but firmly:
“I can’t answer for my friends, but I have come to stay.”
 CHAPTER XIV.
A WRITTEN NOTICE.

Dr. Menter made no reply to Rob’s last statement, but a few minutes
later, as he turned his horse into the driveway leading to a
comfortable-looking, old-fashioned, two-story house, he said:
“This is where the deacon lives. He is so sick I do not believe he will
care to see you, so you had better remain in my carriage until I come
out. I will say to him that you have come.”
Rob could do no better than to take up with this advice, though the
time hung heavy on his hands until the physician reappeared.
“I have spoken to the deacon about you, and he seems greatly
concerned over your welfare. I could not think of letting you see him
in his present state. But, as your situation is such that something has
got to be done at once, I will act for him for a few days, until we can
see how he gets along. Now say to me just what you have come
here to say to him.”
“I am sorry Deacon Cornhill is so sick,” said Rob. “Is there nothing I
can do for him?”
“You show a pretty unselfish spirit to think of some one else before
yourself, considering the hopeless situation you are in. I do not think
you can do anything for the deacon at present. Is there anything I
can do for you?”
“We need tools, sir, to begin work on the land, and we want to find
chances to work so we can earn money.”
“Now you talk business. In regard to the first matter, I shall take the
liberty to borrow of the deacon for you. In the second case, I have
got to do a little thinking. How many of you wish places, and what
can you do?”
“There is Larry Little; he’s eighteen and stout enough to do anything
he knows about. Then there are Tom and Jerry, younger than he is,
but they could do chores. Besides ’em, there is myself, who is willing
to try anything.”
“None of you know much about farm work. But I will see in a little
while. First I will look after those tools, and I will take them along with
you as far as I am going.”
Dr. Menter, who was considerable of a farmer himself, having spent
his boyhood on a farm, went into Deacon Cornhill’s tool house, soon
coming out with two shovels, two hoes, an ax and a pickax.
“These will be enough for you to begin with,” he said, with a smile, as
he placed them in his carriage.
As has been shown, there were two roads leading to Break o’ Day,
and as Dr. Menter had another patient to visit in the west part of the
town, he advised Rob to ride with him in that direction, and after
leaving him take what was called “The Flying Jump” road to Break o’
Day. On the way the physician explained to Rob considerable about
farming, and told him how to begin by spading up the ground ready
for planting.
“Select the level places between the ridges and the hollows where
the soil is richer and deeper. There is some good land on Break o’
Day, but there is more that is poor, either sandy or rocky. Let me
advise you not to dig anywhere the grass won’t grow.”
So Rob went back to his humble home by the same road that ’Squire
Hardy and Sheriff Stanyan had taken in going to Break o’ Day. He
found his mother and friends anxiously awaiting his coming,
excepting Chick and Ruddy, who had not returned.
Rob gave as encouraging an account of his visit to the village as he
could, and as he displayed the tools he had brought with which to
begin there was a curious examination made and many utterances
of surprise which must have sounded ridiculous to the farming
population of Basinburg. But it must be remembered that none of the
younger members of the party had ever seen anything of the kind, or
had the remotest idea of the uses to which they could be applied.
Even Rob, who had listened attentively to what Dr. Menter had said,
could not give any very clear explanation.
Welcome to our website – the ideal destination for book lovers and
knowledge seekers. With a mission to inspire endlessly, we offer a
vast collection of books, ranging from classic literary works to
specialized publications, self-development books, and children's
literature. Each book is a new journey of discovery, expanding
knowledge and enriching the soul of the reade

Our website is not just a platform for buying books, but a bridge
connecting readers to the timeless values of culture and wisdom. With
an elegant, user-friendly interface and an intelligent search system,
we are committed to providing a quick and convenient shopping
experience. Additionally, our special promotions and home delivery
services ensure that you save time and fully enjoy the joy of reading.

Let us accompany you on the journey of exploring knowledge and

personal growth!

ebookmass.com