Turning quickly, Master Piemont's assistant saw his friend Amos, who had just come up, and he retorted:
"I am attending to my own affairs."
"It is better you should do that in private. You have no right to brawl in the streets, even though your debtor be an enemy."
"I have the right to do that which I please, and it will become you better to turn your attention to the informer, who is at the same time your relative."
"What do you mean by that?" and now Amos began to display signs of losing his temper, for the part in public affairs which Ebenezer Richardson had been playing latterly was a sore subject to him. "What has he been doing?"
"Nothing, as yet. It is what he may do that I speak of."
"But he is not here."
"He came out of Master Lillie's a few moments ago, and would have torn down the pole but for the crowd which threatened him. There he is now, and while you are watching your precious uncle, I'll continue to demand my money from that red-coated lieutenant, if it so pleases me!"
"Do as you choose," Amos cried, in a rage, "and some day you will realise what a fool's back deserves."
Then, understanding that no credit could be gained by bandying words with one like the barber's apprentice, he stepped nearer the two Christophers, as the mob, agitated by the sight of the informer, watched eagerly his every movement.