l the voting-time
was past.

But even when people got safely to the hustings (as the polling-place
was called), the rioting and horse-play of every sort that was allowed
on these occasions was very great, and often resulted in serious
injuries and even loss of life.

A notable scene of this sort took place in 1806, when Charles James Fox
was elected member for Westminster.

After the High Bailiff had declared Fox duly elected, a chair was
brought in which the new member was to be carried by his enthusiastic
supporters. This chair, of course previously prepared, was covered with
crimson damask, with a great deal of gilding, and a laurel wreath over
the member's head. On this uncomfortable but splendid seat, Mr. Fox was
chaired all round Covent Garden, amidst the cheers of his friends.

Then began the usual practice of pulling down the hustings--the crowd
throwing themselves upon the platform and demolishing it from the
foundations.

With so many inexperienced and excited workmen an accident was only to
be expected, and it came. Very soon the roof of the hustings fell with
a tremendous crash, and though a good number of people managed to spring
aside just in time to save themselves, others were not so fortunate.
Above twenty people were buried amongst the beams and scaffolding, and
it was some hours before all were extricated.

[Illustration: "He was chaired all round Covent Garden."]

There were however no fatal cases, though some broken limbs and cut
faces bore witness to the rough scenes of an election in 1806.

[Illustration: "Marjorie almost ran into Miss Leigh."]

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES

(_Continued from page 147._)

'Get help,' Marjorie heard in faint accents. It was Alan's voice which
recalled the shaft to her mind, and sent a thrill of terror through her.
With scarcely power to reply, she had to pull herself together before
she could summon up resolution to move. The bottom of the steps was not
far off; she had only to turn round to mount them again, and once in the
open air she was safe. How she stumbled up she never knew; but as soon
as the evening air blew in her face she felt as if a load had been
lifted from her heart. Ordering Bootles to keep guard, she flew up the
path to the cliff, reproaching herself for her long delay there that
afternoon. It would take some time to reach home, and then she must find
her father, and get men and a rope. She did not know if Alan were hurt;
b