tice at their
head, were pelting the house with missiles of every kind, and Amos's
mother cried frantically, as her son was on the point of rushing out
to put an end to the disturbance:

"Don't show yourself, my boy, don't show yourself! After what has
happened, we must expect that the sins of your uncle will in some
degree be visited upon us, and you must do nothing rash, particularly
while your father is away from home."

"But, mother, this is only some of Hardy Baker's doings, and I can
soon put an end to it, once I get that precious little villain by the
throat."

"You would add to the disgrace by fighting on the street?"

"I would show the barber's apprentice that he can't insult honest
people without bearing the consequences."

"Come on!" Jim cried, impatiently. "Two of us can handle that crowd!"

Mrs. Richardson clung to her son imploringly, crying that he would be
killed if he ventured into the street, and there seemed good reason
for her fears, since if any one of the missiles, which were being
hurled so freely against the building, should strike him, it would
inflict serious injury.

[Illustration]

As the moments passed and no reply was made by the inmates of the
house to the epithets, Harry's squad grew bolder. Instead of
contenting themselves with defacing the building, they proceeded to do
all the damage possible.

The more serious mischief was begun by the barber's apprentice
himself, as he threw a lump of frozen earth directly through the
window, causing the splintered glass to fly in every direction, and
one of the fragments struck Mrs. Richardson on the cheek with
sufficient force to draw blood. Amos could no longer control his
temper; shaking off his mother's detaining grasp, he flung open the
outer door, and, followed closely by Jim, leaped directly into the
midst of the throng.

More than one of the missiles struck him; but he was not conscious of
the fact. He only saw Hardy Baker, and had no other thought than that
by administering swift punishment to him the attack would be brought
to an end.

Master Piemont's assistant saw his late friends making their way
directly toward him, regardless of every one else, and understood
their purpose.

It had not been his intention to have a personal encounter with Amos.

He had recruited his squad from the more turbulent and violent spirits
gathered under the Liberty Tree, and believed it was sufficiently large
to protect him. Being their lea