gradually the mass of human beings
grew from hundreds to a thousand, from one thousand to many thousands,
until, indeed, it became almost impossible to form any idea of the
actual numbers, so enormous was the gathering.

"We shall have a bad time of it today," remarked Raeburn to Brian, as
they forced their way on. "If I'm not very much mistaken, too, we are
vastly outnumbered."

He looked round the huge assembly from his vantage ground of six foot
four, his cool intrepidity not one whit shaken by the knowledge that,
by what he was about to say, he should draw down on his own head all the
wrath of the roughest portion of the crowd.

"'Twill be against fearful odds!" said Tom, elbowing vigorously to keep
up with his companion.

"We fear nae foe!" said Raeburn, quoting his favorite motto. "And,
after all, it were no bad end to die protesting against wicked rapacity,
needless bloodshed."

His eye kindled as he thought of the protest he hoped to make; his heart
beat high as he looked round upon the throng so largely composed of
those hostile to himself. Was there not a demand for his superabundant
energy? A demand for the tremendous powers of endurance, of influence,
of devotion which were stored up within him? As an athlete joys in
trying a difficult feat, as an artist joys in attempting a lofty
subject, so Raeburn in his consciousness of power, in his absolute
conviction of truth, joyed in the prospect of a most dangerous conflict.

Brian, watching him presently from a little distance, could not wonder
at the immense influence he had gained in the country. The mere physique
of the man was wonderfully impressive the strong, rugged Scottish face,
the latent power conveyed in his whole bearing. He was no demagogue, he
never flattered the people; he preached indeed a somewhat severe creed,
but, even in his sternest mood, the hold he got over the people,
the power he had of raising the most degraded to a higher level was
marvelous. It was not likely, however, that his protest of today would
lead to anything but a free fight. If he could make himself effectually
heard, he cared very little for what followed. It was necessary that a
protest should be made, and he was the right man to make it; therefore
come ill or well, he would go through with it, and, if he escaped with
his life so much the better!

The meeting began. A moderate speaker was heard without interruption,
but the instant Raeburn stood up, a chorus of yells