It was quite clear by this time that
the crowd had come to hear Samuel's speech, and was angry at being
balked. There was a general shout of protest that made the policemen
glad of their numbers.
Of these exciting events Samuel and Everley had been witnesses from
the vantage point of a soap box. Now suddenly the boy caught his
friend's arm and pointed, crying, "Who's that man?"
Near the outskirts of the thrown was a big burly individual, who had
been roaring in a furious voice, "For shame! Go on!" and waving his
fists in the air.
"I don't know," said Everley. "I never saw him before."
"An outrage!" yelled the man. "Kill the police! Smash them! Drive them
away!"
And Everley caught the boy's arm, crying excitedly, "He's been sent
here, I'll wager! They want to provoke trouble!"
And even as he spoke, the two saw the man stoop, and pick up a brick-
bat, and fling it into the center of the crowd, where the police were
massing.
"Arrest that man!" shouted Everley indignantly, and leaped forward and
plunged through the throng to reach him.
There was a roar from the crowd, and Samuel saw that several men had
grappled with the bully; he saw, also, that the police in the center
of the throng had drawn their clubs, and were beginning to strike at
the people. A burly sergeant was commanding them, and forcing back the
crowd by jabbing men in the stomachs.
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