t he
could. He saw Firth making his way through the crowd, evidently
remonstrating, if not threatening. He saw him snatch a spade from a boy
who was flourishing it in Lamb's face. He saw that Firth was digging,
though half-a-dozen boys had thrown themselves on his back, and hung on
his arms. He saw that Firth persevered till Lamb had got his right arm
out of the ground, and was striking everywhere within reach. Then he
saw Firth dragged down and away, while the boys made a circle round
Lamb, putting a foot or hand within his reach, and then snatching it
away again, till the boy yelled with rage at the mockery.

Hugh could look on no longer. He scrambled down from the tree,
scampered to the spot, burst through the throng, and seized Lamb's hand.
Lamb struck him a heavy blow, taking him for an enemy; but Hugh cried
"I am your friend," seized his hand again, and tugged till he was first
red and then black in the face, and till Lamb had worked his shoulders
out of the hole, and seemed likely to have the use of his other arm in a
trice.

Lamb's tormentors at first let Hugh alone in amazement; but they were
not long in growing angry with him too. They hustled him--they pulled
him all ways--they tripped him up; but Hugh's spirit was roused, and
that brought his body up to the struggle again and again. He wrenched
himself free, he scrambled to his feet again, as often as he was thrown
down; and in a few minutes he had plenty of support. Phil was taking
his part, and shielding him from many blows. Firth had got Lamb out of
the hole, and the party against the tormentors was now so strong that
they began to part off till the struggle ceased. Firth kept his grasp
of the spade; for Lamb's passion still ran so high that there was no
saying what might be the consequences of leaving any dangerous weapon
within his reach. He was still fuming and stamping, Hugh gazing at him
the while in wonder and fear.

"There stands your defender, Lamb," said Firth, "thinking he never saw a
boy in a passion before. Come, have done with it for his sake: be a
man, as he is. Here, help me to fill up this hole--both of you. Stamp
down the earth, Lamb. Tread it well--tread your anger well down into
it. Think of this little friend of yours here--a Crofton boy only
yesterday."

Lamb did help to fill the hole, but he did not say a word--not one word
to anybody till the dinner-bell rang. Then, at the pump, where the
party were washing th