declare I must have lost it."

Whether he discovered the loss then for the first time, or what is far
more probable, did not anticipate its demand from one so flighty as
Holden, and meant to procure one afterwards, is not certainly known,
but the fact is certain, he had no written authority to arrest.

"You never had one. Is this the way you treat a free American? You
desarve a ducking; you had better make tracks," exclaimed several
indignant voices from the crowd, with whom a constable cannot be a
popular character.

"It's my opinion," said the man in the fox skin cap, "Basset has made
himself liable for assault and battery. What do you think, Captain?"

"I ain't clear on that point," returned his cautious companion, "but
free trade and sailors' rights, I say, and I've no notion of a man's
being took without law. I'm clear so far."

The discomfited constable not venturing to proceed, and, indeed,
unable to conceive how, without Holden's assent, he could take him
before the justice, now relinquished his prey, and endeavored to make
his way out of the circle. Hereupon an agitation arose, none could
say how, the persons composing it began to be swayed backwards and
forwards in a strange manner, and somehow or other poor Basset's heels
got tripped up, and before he could rise, several men and boys fell
over him and crushed him with their weight, so that when he became
visible in the heap, he presented a most pitiable appearance. His coat
was torn, his neckerchief twisted so tight about his neck, that he
was half choked, and his hat jammed out of all shape. It is doubtful