“Put it to the test. Call the merchant for a witness,” cried another.
A party ran instantly for Levi. He refused to come. They dragged him with fearful menaces.
“A test, old man; a test of gold!”
The old Jew cast his eyes around, took in the whole scene, and with a courage few of the younger ones would have shown, defied that wild mob.
“I will give you no test. I wash my hands of your mad passions, and your mockeries of justice, men of Belial!”
A moment's silence and wonder, a yell of rage, and a dozen knives in the air.
The judge rose hastily, and in a terrible voice that governed the tumult for an instant said: “Down knives! I hang the first man that uses one in my court.” And during the momentary pause that followed this he cried out: “He has given me a test. Run and fetch me the bottle of acid on his table.”
“Hurrah! Judge Lynch forever!” was now the cry, and in a minute the bottle was thrust into the judge's hand.
“Young man,” said Isaac solemnly, “do not pour, lest Heaven bring your soul to as keen a test one day. Who are you that judge your brother?”
Judge Lynch trembled visibly as the reverend man rebuked him thus, but, fearing Isaac would go farther and pay the forfeit of his boldness, he said calmly: “Friends, remove the old man from the court, but use respect. He is an aged man.”