Mason had been appointed to the force by the Clubman's influence.
Turning from his patron the policeman roughs his way through the crowd and makes the men and women "move on."
"Nothing like having a friend at court, eh?" laughingly cries one of Mr.
Castor's friends.
"It is this custom of privilege that has brought on this calamity," soberly observes the philosopher of the group.
A riot breaks out at this moment at the foot of the Franklin statue; and the shouts and curses of the men who are being beaten by the police send a thrill through the multitude.
The people on the fringe of the swaying thousands begin a retreat. Their action is quickly imitated.
The Clubmen decide that they have seen all that they want of the crowd.
But the matter of getting out is not easy of accomplishment.
"What are you plug hats looking for?" sneers a rough from the slums. And his arm swings out and hits the foremost man in the face. This seems to be the cue for a dozen ruffians to fall upon the party of well dressed men.
Two policemen who stand nearby come to the rescue of the party and conduct them to a place of safety. From thence the sightseers are glad to make their way up-town.
The ambulances from the Hudson Street Hospital take four of the rioters who have been beaten with the night sticks of the police, to the station house. Under ordinary circumstances the prisoners would be taken to the hospital; but the Inspector of Police, who is on the scene, deems it advisible to take them to the Station house.