or a cockshy. Here's Bismark."

"He's a German, and I hate German; most abominable language I have had
to tackle yet. Stick Bismark up on that gate, and we will shy from the
other side of the road. Stick him up, I say, you jabbering idiot."

"Oh! sare, what pity to throw stone at the beautiful cast! Buy him and
take him home, no break him."

In spite of his remonstrances the great chancellor was set up on the
five-barred gate, and the boys began to pelt him from the heap of stones
on the opposite side of the road.

"And who is to pay me for my beautiful images?" asked the Italian, in
some trepidation for his money, it being difficult to say which of all
these eccentric young savages was the actual purchaser.

"Oh! whoever does not hit it shall owe you for it."

"But I should like that you pay now, before you throw."

"Why, you idiot, how can we tell who hits and who misses beforehand.
Stand out of the way can't you!"

"Good shot!" "That was near." "That has got him!" and down went the
bust in fragments. Then a Cupid was exposed to missiles far more
substantial than his own, and succumbed. His mama was next sent up by
these young Goths; fancy Venus herself being put in the pillory and
stoned! What one thing after that could they be expected to respect?
Not the infant Samuel, who, in spite of his supplicatory attitude, found
no pity. Not Sir Garnet Wolseley, who was exposed to as hot a fire as
he had ever been under before, with worse luck; not Mr Gladstone, nor
Minerva, nor Tennyson. The spirit of mischief, the thirst for
destruction, grew wilder by gratification, and soon the whole stock of
models was reduced to a heap of plaster fragments.

"Ah! well, I have sell them all quick to-day," said the Italian, putting
a good face on the business, which yet looked to him rather doubtful,
and it is very rare for people to indulge in mischief at their own
expense. "It is twenty shilling, one pound you owe me, sare," he added
to Saurin.

"I owe you!" cried Saurin. "I like that! Why, I hit more of them than
anyone else, and it was those who missed the lot who were to be
responsible. Go to them, man."

"Oh! gentleman, kind gentleman, you are making fun of me. You speak to
me first; you say, `Put up the figures for shy.' I poor man, you
gentleman. You laugh! Give me my money, you sare, or you, or you;" and
the Italian grasped his long black hair with both hands, and danced
about in a manner which amu