out of the play-ground! Knock down the scoundrel; or bind him, and
let him lie in peace."

"By no means," cried George. "It is evident he wants nothing else. Pray
do not humour him so much as to touch him with either foot or finger."
Then, turning to a friend, he said in a whisper: "Speak to him, Gordon;
he surely will not refuse to let us have the ground to ourselves, if
you request it of him."

Gordon went up to him, and requested of him, civilly, but ardently, "to
retire to a certain distance, else none of them could or would be
answerable, however sore he might be hurt."

He turned disdainfully on his heel, uttered a kind of pulpit hem! and
then added, "I will take my chance of that; hurt me, any of you, at
your peril."

The young gentlemen smiled, through spite and disdain of the dogged
animal. Gordon followed him up, and tried to remonstrate with him; but
he let him know that "it was his pleasure to be there at that time;
and, unless he could demonstrate to him what superior right he and his
party had to that ground, in preference to him, and to the exclusion of
all others, he was determined to assert his right, and the rights of
his fellow-citizens, by keeping possession of whatsoever part of that
common field he chose."

"You are no gentleman, Sir," said Gordon.

"Are you one, Sir?" said the other.

"Yes, Sir. I will let you know that I am, by G--!"

"Then, thanks be to Him whose name you have profaned, I am none, If one
of the party be a gentleman, I do hope in God am not!"

It was now apparent to them all that he was courting obloquy and manual
chastisement from their hands, if by any means he could provoke them
to the deed; and, apprehensive that he had some sinister and deep-laid
design in hunting after such a singular favour, they wisely restrained
one another from inflicting the punishment that each of them yearned to
bestow, personally, and which he so well deserved.

But the unpopularity of the younger George Colwan could no longer be
concealed from his associates. It was manifested wherever the populace
were assembled; and his young and intimate friend, Adam Gordon, was
obliged to warn him of the circumstance that he might not be surprised
at the gentlemen of their acquaintance withdrawing themselves from his
society, as they could not be seen with him without being insulted.
George thanked him; and it was agreed between them that the former
should keep himself retired during the daytime w