His lean frame would crack and break in the grasp of his mighty assailant, and I was loth that the fool should come to harm; so I began to push my way through towards the pair, and arrived just as Phineas, having shot a most pointed dart, was about to pay for his too great skill with a blow from the porter's mutton-fist.

I caught the fellow's arm as he raised it, and he turned fiercely on me, growling, "Are you his friend, then ?" "Not I," I answered.

"But you'd kill him, man." "Let him heed what he says, then.

Kill him! Ay, and spare him readily!" The affair looked awkward enough, for the feeling was all one way, and I could do little to hinder any violence.

A girl in the crowd reminded me of my helplessness, touching my wounded arm lightly, and saying, "Are you hungry for more fighting, sir ?" "He's a madman," said I."Let him alone; who heeds what he says ?" Friend Phineas did not take my defence in good part.
"Mad, am I ?" he roared, beating with his fist on his Bible.