The affray, however, was soon brought to an unexpected end, by a gentleman who happened to witness it.

Seizing Oscar by the collar of his jacket, he exclaimed: "Here, here, sir! what are you doing to that little fellow?
Don't you know enough, you great lubber, to take a boy of your own size, if you want to fight?
Now run, my little man, and get out of his way," continued the stranger, turning to Whistler, and still holding Oscar by the collar.
[Illustration: The Assault.] Whistler hesitated for a moment between the contending impulses of obedience and manliness; and then, drawing himself up to his full stature, he said, with a respectful but decided air: "No, sir, I have n't injured him, and I won't run away from him." "Well said, well said--you are a brave little fellow," continued the gentleman, somewhat surprised at the turn the affair was taking.

"What is your name, sir ?" "William Davenport." "And what is this boy's name ?" "Oscar," replied Willie, and there he stopped, as if unwilling to expose further the name of his abuser.
"Well you may go now, Oscar," said the gentleman, relinquishing his hold; "but if you lay your hands on William again, I shall complain of you." The two boys walked off in opposite directions, the gentleman keeping an eye upon Oscar until Whistler was out of his reach.
A little knot of boys was drawn together by the circumstance just related, among whom was George, Oscar's youngest brother.

He witnessed the attack, but knew nothing of its cause.

As he went directly home, while Oscar did not, he had an opportunity to report to his mother and Ralph the scene he had just beheld.