Page:How to Get Strong (1899).pdf/408

 stranger in a hogshead, and roll him down-hill. Lincoln's reputation for strength and courage at first kept them off; but Armstrong, the leader of the gang, was put on to wrestle him. Seeing that he could not manage the tall stranger, his friends, by kicking and tripping, nearly got him down. Putting forth his whole strength, he held the pride of Clary's Grove in his arms like a child, and almost choked the exuberant life out of him. For a moment a general fight seemed inevitable; but Lincoln, standing undismayed, with his back to the wall, looked so formidable in his defiance that honest admiration took the place of momentary fury, and his danger was over. The verdict of Clary's Grove was that he was the cleverest fellow that ever broke into the settlement. As to Armstrong, he was Lincoln's friend and sworn brother, as soon as he recovered the use of his larynx; and the bond thus created lasted through life. Lincoln made ample amends for the liberty he had taken with Jack's throat by saving in a memorable trial his son's neck from the halter."—Nicolay and Hay's Life of Lincoln.

"Lincoln was believed to be the strongest man in his regiment; and no doubt was. He was certainly the best wrestler in it, and after they left Beardstown no one ever disputed the fact. He is said to 'have done the wrestling for the company.' And one man insists that he always had a handkerchief tied around his person, in readiness for the sport. For a while it was firmly believed that no man in the army could throw him down. His company confidently pitted him 'against the field'; and were willing to bet all they had on the result. At length one Mr. Thompson came forward and accepted the challenge. He was, in fact, the most famous wrestler in the western country. It is not certain that the