now, and half the male population were in the
streets, running different ways, for the firing seemed to proceed from
opposite points of the town. Everybody waylaid everybody else with
questions; but as no one knew what was the occasion of the tumult,
people who were not usually nervous began to be oppressed by the
mystery.

Some thought the town was being bombarded; some thought the world was
coming to an end, as the pious and ingenious Mr. Miller had predicted
it would; but those who couldn't form any theory whatever were the most
perplexed.

In the meanwhile Bailey's Battery bellowed away at regular intervals.
The greatest confusion reigned everywhere by this time. People with
lanterns rushed hither and thither. The town watch had turned out to
a man, and marched off, in admirable order, in the wrong direction.
Discovering their mistake, they retraced their steps, and got down to
the wharf just as the last cannon belched forth its lightning.

A dense cloud of sulphurous smoke floated over Anchor Lane, obscuring
the starlight. Two or three hundred people, in various stages of
excitement, crowded about the upper end of the wharf, not liking to
advance farther until they were satisfied that the explosions were
over. A board was here and there blown from the fence, and through
the openings thus afforded a few of the more daring spirits at length
ventured to crawl.

The cause of the racket soon transpired. A suspicion that they had
been sold gradually dawned on the Rivermouthians. Many were exceedingly
indignant, and declared that no penalty was severe enough for those
concerned in such a prank; others--and these were the very people who
had been terrified nearly out of their wits--had the assurance to laugh,
saying that they knew all along it was only a trick.

The town watch boldly took possession of the ground, and the crowd began
to disperse. Knots of gossips lingered here and there near the place,
indulging in vain surmises as to who the invisible gunners could be.

There was no more noise that night, but many a timid person lay awake
expecting a renewal of the mysterious cannonading. The Oldest Inhabitant
refused to go to bed on any terms, but persisted in sitting up in a
rocking-chair, with his hat and mittens on, until daybreak.

I thought I should never get to sleep. The moment I drifted off in a
doze I fell to laughing and woke myself up. But towards morning slumber
overtook me, and I had a series of dis