"Let us go with him," said the impulsive Anne.

"You would make a fine appearance in a justice court," said her
brother "No, I will see you home, and afterwards join Pownal."

But an occurrence now happened which made any such arrangement
unnecessary. Tom Gladding, who all this while had been quietly
whittling out his chain and listening to the conversation, here
interposed:

"Basset," he said, "you hain't showed your warrant."

"It's all safe enough," cried the constable, striking his hand on his
pocket.

"Well, if that's the case you're safe enough, too," said Tom, as if
not disposed to press an inquiry.

But the hint had answered its purpose, and several voices demanded the
exhibition of the warrant, to which the constable replied, that it was
none of their business; he knew what he was about.

Contrary, however, to what might have been expected from his former
submission, the prisoner required to see the written authority by
which he was to be consigned to bonds, and refused to move until
it had been shown, in which determination he was sustained by
the bystanders. Thus unexpectedly resisted, the constable had no
alternative but to release Holden or produce the instrument. He,
therefore, put his hand into his pocket, and pulling out a number of
papers, sought for the document. It was in vain; no warrant was to be
found; and, after repeatedly shuffling the papers, he exclaimed: "I
declare I must have lost it."

Whether he discovered the loss then for the first time, or what is far
more probable, did not anticipate its demand from one so flighty as
Holden, and meant to procure one afterwards, is not certainly known,
but the fact is certain, he had no written authority to arrest.

"You never had one. Is this the way you treat a free American? You
desarve a ducking; you had better make tracks," exclaimed several
indignant voices from the crowd, with whom a constable cannot be a
popular character.

"It's my opinion," said the man in the fox skin cap, "Basset has made
himself liable for assault and battery. What do you think, Captain?"

"I ain't clear on that point," returned his cautious companion, "but
free trade and sailors' rights, I say, and I've no notion of a man's
being took without law. I'm clear so far."

The discomfited constable not venturing to proceed, and, indeed,
unable to conceive how, without Holden's assent, he could take him
before the justice, now relinquished his prey, and endeavored t