'O'More, I say, I'll
commit every man of you if you don't give over.'
He was recognised, and those who had little appetite for the skirmish
gave back from him; but the more reckless and daring small fry began
shrieking, 'The Nabob!' and letting off crackers and squibs, through
which he advanced upon the knot of positive combatants, who were
exchanging blows over his prostrate image in front of the fire.
One he caught by the collar, in the act of aiming a blow. The fist
was instantly levelled at him, with the cry, 'You rascal! what do you
mean by it?' But the fierce struggle failed to shake off the
powerful grasp; and at the command, 'Don't be such a fool!' Ulick
burst out, 'Murder! 'tis himself!' and in the surprise was dragged
some paces before recovering his perceptions.
The cry of police had at the same instant produced a universal
scattering, and five policemen, coming on the ground, found scarcely
any one to separate or capture. Mr. Kendal relaxed his hold, saying,
'You are my prisoner.'
'I didn't think you'd been so strong,' said Ulick, shaking himself,
and looking bewildered. 'Where's the effigy?'
'What's that to you. Come away, like a rational being.'
'Ha! what's that?' as a frightful, agonizing shriek rent the air, and
a pillar of flame came rushing across the now open space. It was a
child, one mass of fire, and flying, in its anguish, from all who
would have seized it.
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