The youth felt their force, and his reason readily assented to the plain-sense course which they pointed out.

Contenting himself, therefore, with reiterating the charge, he concluded with saying that, for the present, he would let the affair rest.

"Until the ruffian"-- thus he phrased it--"had answered the penalties of the laws for his subsequent and more heinous offence against them, he should be silent." "But I have not done with _you_, young sir," was the immediate speech of Rivers--his self-confidence and much of his composure returned, as, with a fierce and malignant look, and a quick stride, he approached the youth.

"You have thought proper to make a foul charge against me, which I have denied.

It has been shown that your assertion is unfounded, yet you persist in it, and offer no atonement.