"  Ye  had  better  keep  the  tJiief  to  suit  yoursell,
honoured  Captain,"  said  the  Jagger,  emboldened  by
the  approach  of  the  civil  power ;  "  for  wha  kens
how  a'  these  fine  goods  and  bonny-dies  were  come
by?"

This  was  uttered  with  such  provoking  slyness  of
look  and  tone,  that  Cleveland  made  no  further  de-
lay, but,  seizing  upon  the  Jagger  by  the  collar,
dragged  him  over  his  temporary  counter,  which  was,
with  all  the  goods  displayed  thereon,  overset  in  the
scuffle ;  and,  holding  him  with  one  hand,  inflicted
on  him  with  the  other  a  severe  beating  with  his
cane.  All  this  was  done  so  suddenly  and  with  such
energy,  that  Bryce  Snailsfoot,  though  rather  a  stout
man,  was  totally  surprised  by  the  vivacity  of  the
attack,  and  made  scarce  any  other  effort  at  extri-
cating himself  than  by  roaring  for  assistance  like  a
bull-calf.     The  "  loitering   aid  "   having   at   length


THE  PIEATE.  iSj

come  up,  the  officers  made  an  effort  to  seize  on
Cleveland,  and  by  their  united  exertions  succeeded
in  compelling  him  to  quit  hold  of  the  pedlar,  in
order  to  defend  himself  from  their  assault.  This  he
did  with  infinite  strength,  resolution,  and  dexterity,
being  at  the  same  time  well  seconded  by  his  friend
Jack  Bunco,  who  had  seen  with  glee  the  drubbing
sustained  by  the  pedlar,  and  now  combated  tightly
to  save  his  companion  from  the  consequences.  But,
as  there  had  been  for  some  time  a  growing  feud  be-
tween the  townspeople  and  the  crew  of  the  Eover,
the  former,  provoked  by  the  insolent  deportment
of  the  seamen,  had  resolved  to  stand  by  each  other,
and  to  aid  the  civil  power  upon  such  occasions  of
riot  as  should  occur  in  future ;  and  so  many  assist-
ants came  up  to  the  rescue  of  the  constables,  that
Cleveland,  after  fighting  most  manfully,  was  at
length  brought  to  the  ground  and  made  prisoner.
