do as well by Father Holden, and let him run."

A general shout of laughter greeted this speech of Gladding's, and
there were exclamations of "Well said, Tom," and "He had him, there,"
and "Who would have thought that of Davenport?"

The unfortunate victim glared, with fury in his eyes, at Tom, who,
interpreting his looks to suit himself, cried--

"He's coming, Squire, to speak for himself."

Davenport here protested, he had said no such thing, and that it was a
shame he should be abused by a scurrilous fellow, in such a manner.

"What's that you say?" said Gladding, stepping up to Davenport; "I'm
no more squirrilous, than you are yourself; though, for that matter,
there ain't a squirrel on a walnut tree, but would be ashamed to be
seen in your company,--squirrilous fellow, eh!"

"Silence!" cried the Justice. "Mister Gladding, I must say, I think
such language very improper; and I hope, if you expect to remain here,
you will stop it."

"Squire," said Gladding, "he begun it; I'll leave it to the company,
if he didn't first call me a squirrel."

"Silence!" reiterated the Justice; "we must have order; and, if you
don't choose to observe order, you must leave the room."

"You hain't opened court yet," persisted the pertinacious Tom. "I