"Now, don't talk, lawyer, seeing you ha'n't paid me for it yet; but
that's neither here nor there. If I did, as you say, sell my goods for
something more than their vally, I hadn't ought to had such a punishment
as this."

The wild song of the rioters rang in his ears, followed by a
proposition, seemingly made with the utmost gravity, to change the plan
of operations, and instead of giving him the ride upon the rail, cap the
blazing goods of his cart with the proper person of the proprietor. The
pedler lingered to hear no further; and the quick ear of the lawyer, as
he returned into the hall, distinguished the rumbling motion of his cart
hurrying down the road. But he had scarcely reseated himself and resumed
his glass, before Bunce also reappeared.

"Why, man, I thought you were off. You burn daylight; though they do
say, those whom water won't drown, rope must hang."

"There is some risk, lawyer, to be sure; but when I recollected this
box, which you see is a fine one, though they have disfigured it, I
thought I should have time enough to take it with me, and anything that
might be lying about;" looking around the apartment as he spoke, and
gathering up a few fragments which had escaped the general notice.

"Begone, fool!" exclaimed the lawyer, impatiently. "They are upon
you--they come--fly for your life, you dog--I hear their voices."

"I'm off, lawyer"--and looking once behind him as he hurried off, the
pedler passed from the rear of the building as those who sought him
re-entered in front.