ly scheme
of politics to which he was sacrificed, and, in conclusion, swore he
would not give up the fruits of his own address for the pleasure of any
minister upon earth. This laudable resolution, however, was rendered
ineffectual by his friend the receiver-general, who was bearer of
the message, and, after having in vain endeavoured to persuade him
to submission, fairly arrested him upon the spot for the money he had
advanced; this expedient being performed by virtue of a writ which
he had been advised to take out, in case the young man should prove
refractory.

The reader, who by this time must be pretty well acquainted with the
disposition of our hero, may easily conceive how he relished this
adventure. At first, all the faculties of his soul were swallowed up in
astonishment and indignation; and some minutes elapsed before his nerves
would obey the impulse of his rage, which manifested itself in such an
application to the temples of the plaintiff, as laid him sprawling on
the floor. This assault, which was committed in a tavern, whither he
had been purposely decoyed, attracted the regard of the bailiff and his
followers, who, to the number of four, rushed upon him at once, in
order to overpower him; but his wrath inspired him with such additional
strength and agility, that he disengaged himself from them in a trice,
and, seizing a poker, which was the first weapon that presented itself
to his hand, exercised it upon their skulls with incredible dexterity
and execution. The officer himself, who had been the first that presumed
to lay violent hands upon him, felt the first effects of his fury in a
blow upon the jaws, in consequence of which he lost three of his teeth,
and fell athwart the body of the receiver, with which he formed the
figure of a St. Andrew's cross. One of his myrmidons, seeing the fate
of his chief, would not venture to attack the victor in front, but,
wheeling to one side, made an attempt upon him in flank, and was
received obliquely by our hero's left hand and foot, so masterly
disposed to the right side of his leg, and the left side of his neck,
that he bolted head foremost into the chimney, where his chin was
encountered by the grate, which in a moment seared him to the bone. The
rest of the detachment did not think proper to maintain the dispute,
but, evacuating the room with great expedition, locked the door on the
outside, and bellowed aloud to the receiver's servants, beseeching them
to com