o make
his way out of the circle. Hereupon an agitation arose, none could
say how, the persons composing it began to be swayed backwards and
forwards in a strange manner, and somehow or other poor Basset's heels
got tripped up, and before he could rise, several men and boys fell
over him and crushed him with their weight, so that when he became
visible in the heap, he presented a most pitiable appearance. His coat
was torn, his neckerchief twisted so tight about his neck, that he
was half choked, and his hat jammed out of all shape. It is doubtful
whether he would have escaped so cheaply, had it not been for
Gladding, who, after he thought Basset had suffered sufficiently, came
to his assistance.

"I always stand by the law," said Tom, helping him to his feet, "but
I admire your imprudence, Basset, in trying to take up a man without a
warrant."

Basset's faculties were too confused to enter into a discussion of
the subject then, and with many threats of taking the law against his
tormentors, and, attended by Tom, he limped off the ice.

Loud and boisterous were the congratulations with which the crowd had
greeted Holden on his escape from the clutches of the constable, but
he waved them off with a dignity which repressed their advances, and
gave some offence.

"If I'd known the old fellow was so proud," said one, "I guess Basset
might have taken him for all I cared."

"I sort o' sprained my wrist in that last jam agin the constable,"
said another, laughing, "and it's een about as good as thrown away."

"Perhaps," cried a third, "when he's took agin, I'll be there to help,
and perhaps I won't."

While these various speeches were being made, the young men with
the ladies, had gathered around Holden, and were expressing their
mortification at the annoyance he had experienced, and their pleasure
at his escape.

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?" cried
the enthusiast. "Surely their devices shall be brought to naught,
and their counsels to no effect. He that sitteth on the circle of the
heavens shall laugh them to scorn, and spurn them in His displeasure.
Because for Thy sake, I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my
face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my
mother's children."

He waited for no remark; he looked at no one; but taking up the pile
of baskets which were tied together, threw them upon his back, and
stalked over the ice in the direction of hi