They could now see and feel the fruits of that rash error which had led them on; but their consciousness came too late for retrieval, and they now wondered, with a simplicity truly surprising to those who know with what facility an uneducated and warm people may be led to their own ruin, that this consciousness had not come to them before.

Ralph, attended by Forrester, advanced among the crowd.

As he did so, all eyes were turned upon him, and a sullen conference took place, having reference to himself, between Munro and a few of the ringleaders.

This conference was brief, and as soon as it was concluded, the landlord turned to the youth, and spoke as follows:-- "You were a witness, Mr.Colleton, of this whole transaction, and can say whether the soldiers were not guilty of the most unprovoked assault upon us, without reason or right." "I can say no such thing, sir," was his reply.

"On the contrary, I am compelled to say, that a more horrible and unjustifiable transaction I never witnessed.