CHAPTER III.
’TWIXT CUP AND LIP.
With appetites still further whetted by their various diversions, the comrades were hardly made happier when Adam found that once more the many years’ growth of Boston town confused him. It was something of a walk to the Phipps’ domicile from the Crow and Arrow the best one could do. With devious windings added, it became the next thing to provoking.
“Aha, at last I know where we are,” said Adam, finally. “These streets are as bad as London’s. But ten minutes more and we shall be at the board.”
“If this is not so,” said Halberd, gravely, with a memory of seeing Adam part with the last money which they possessed, “it would be a kindness to let us lie down and perish here.”
“This is a most unlikely-looking street,” added Pike, dolefully.
“What do you know of Boston streets?” inquired Adam, who had a doubt or two of the place himself. “Good beef-eaters, if you weary, wait here for a moment, till I can run a little along this road, to see where it leads. If it is right I will presently whistle; if wrong I can the sooner return.”
The beef-eaters with one accord sat down upon a block of stone, while their leader strode hastily up a passage which was in reality an alley, at the rear of a number of residences. With a hope that he would soon emerge into a street which he thought should be in the neighborhood, Adam almost ran. Thus he disappeared about a turn of the lane.
He had gone less than twenty rods when he found himself approaching a small assemblage of boys, who were yelling, in suppressed voices, and gathering stones which they were throwing with wild aim into a corner, where the coming darkness had already formed a center of shadows. Rust was well among these young scamps before they were aware of his presence. One urchin had by this secured a long stick with which he advanced, the others making room to let him through, to poke and jab at something which the lads had evidently driven to bay where it could not escape. Yet so afraid did the young rogues appear to be that this something would yet fly upon them and do them great harm, that Adam walked at once among them, touching one upon the shoulder.
“The witch!” screamed this lad, as if the devil himself had clutched him. With yells of terror all the boys scudded swiftly away, for a matter of twenty feet, and then turned about to look at Rust. Seeing a man merely, they were reassured. It is a singular and doubtless a fortunate matter that there was never such a thing conceived as a male witch.
“What have you here?” said Adam, pleasantly.