In endeavouring to return the blow, he struck another party, who instantly retaliated, and a general affray commenced--some taking one side, some the other.

In the midst of the confusion three persons forced their way towards the preacher, knocked him from his stool, and, assailing him with the most opprobrious epithets, dealt him several seemingly severe blows, and would have further maltreated him, if Mr.
Bloundel had not interposed, and, pushing aside his assailants, gave him his hand, and led him into his dwelling, the door of which he closed.
Shortly afterwards, the crowd dispersing, the preacher's companion entered the shop in search of his master.
"I hope you have sustained no injury during this tumult, reverend and dear sir ?" he asked, with great apparent solicitude.
"I am not much hurt," replied the preacher; "but I have received a blow on the head, which has stunned me.

The faintness will go off presently.
You were the cause of this disturbance, Bambolio." "I, Doctor Maplebury ?" replied Bambolio.

"I endeavoured to stop it.

But your reverence looks extremely ill.