"Ah, it is good to be here.

Ah! he comes, he comes!" It was a critical moment as the burly Bull came down the room.

Had he done so five minutes sooner Freckleton might have found himself single- handed.

But already his genial banter had told among the more susceptible of his hearers, and he could count at any rate on fair play.
For the rest, he had little anxiety.
"Wait a moment," said he, rising to his feet, and motioning to Bull to wait: "Sociables, Bull wants to fight me.

Do you want me to fight him ?" "Yes, yes," shouted every one, delighted at the prospect of a fray, and many of them quite indifferent as to who conquered.
"Very well, gentlemen," said the Hermit; "I will obey you on one condition, and one only." "What is it ?" they shouted eagerly.
"This: that if I beat Bull, you make me your president; or, if you think it fairer, if I beat Bull first and then Spokes, you elect me.