14 A Jatl Adventure.^
"I explained, begged, scolded, and tory suddenness that nearly stopped
swore, but all to no purpose. His my breath.
heart was like flint, and his decision "I expostulated, I resisted, I
irrevocable. struck right and left with all my
" ' Clear out, or I'll hand you over might, I kicked. I declared that I was
to a policeman!' he exlaimed in a pursuing a legitimate calling ; that his
pompous manner. interference was unwarrantable ; that
"I was in mortal fear of a police- I would take the law on him ; that un- man, and so I cleared out with re- less he immediately and uncondition- markable alacrity. ally released me he would get into
"The next and last individual with trouble that would cost him his com-
whora I sought an interview — the mission.
bao-orao-e-master — informed me, in " Mv mad antics and loud declama-
words more emphatic than polite, that tion did not have the slightest effect
there was a representative of my upon him. He did not appear in the
newspaper in the refreshment car, least frightened, neither did he turn
and therefore he was satisfied that I pale or loosen his gri[) on my collar, was a cheap fraud. "This little episode, however,
"While I was debating the question caused a great sensation and a com-
with him the train moved out of the motion in the crowd. The procession
station. halted. Everybody within hearing
"Gentlemen, hearing no objection, of the tumult rushed upon us, and I will now omit an elaboration of my became interested spectators. Some experience iu the next hour. I will of the men attempted the role of simply say that I was very despond- peacemakers ; others talked fight, and ent ; that the accommodation train threatened vengeance on the police- was behind time ; that it was slow ; man ; children, who were trampled that when I arrived in the next city under foot, shrieked with terror, and my mental condition rapidly improved, women fainted; while a dandified fel- and I imagined myself in a place low, who had the appearance of a where the prerogatives of the profes- dancing master, queried, 'What's he sion are respected. been doing?' and a plug-ugly (if I
"Ah ! but I was doomed again to am any judge of mortal man) shouted
dire and dreadful disappointment, as savagely, 'Let him go!' the sequel will show. ICven to this "The policeman was equal to the
day I cannot reflect with composure emergency. He drew his revolver,
upon the events which followed. and ordered the mob to stand back.
'•With your permission, however, The effect was like magic : everybody
I will condense mv harrowins; tale at stood back. Meanwhile I continued
this point, and simply say that I made to show fight, and called on the peo-
my way to the main street, and when pie to rescue me : he clubbed me. I
pushing nervously through the crowd hung back : he dragged me. Yes, I
a heavy hand was again laid upon my blush to own it, tluit policeman ac-
shoulder, and well, that same tually dragged me to the city jail.
policeman snatched me with peremp- "At the guard-room my pockets
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