To have him set upon by roughs, causelessly, was like a blow in the face to every other member of the Club. When Harding had told his story, Miller said: "Who did you say these men were, Harding?" Harding told their names. "Why, they are not miners at all," said Carlin. "They are a lot of outside bruisers who have come here because there is going to be an election this year, and they have got their names on a pay roll to keep from being arrested as vagrants. You did just right, Harding, to get away from them with your crippled hand without serious trouble." "Indeed you did, Harding," said Brewster. "One street fight at your age might ruin you for life." "That is quite true," said Miller; "I am glad you had no fight." Said Corrigan: "You offered to fight any one of the blackguards, and whin they refused, you came away? It was the proper thing to do." "Did you have any weapons with you, Harding?" asked Ashley. "Not a thing in the world," was the reply. "I am glad of that," said Ashley. "The temptation to wing one or two of the brutes, would have been very great had you been 'fixed.'" "I am glad it was no worse," said Wright. "You said it was down by the California Bank corner?" "No," replied Harding; "it was by the Fredericksburg Brewery corner, on Union Street, just below C." "You managed the matter first-rate, Harding," said Wright. "Do not think any more about it." Harding, thus reassured by his friends, felt better, but said if three of the Club would go with him he would undertake to do his part to bring hostilities to a successful close with the bullies. Ashley and Corrigan at once volunteered, but Wright and Carlin interfered and said it must not be, and Brewster expostulated against any such thing. Corrigan and Ashley caught a look and gesture from Wright which caused them to subside, and Harding at length went out to supper. When Harding came in from up town, Miller was making arrangements to go out, as he said, to meet a broker as per agreement. As Harding went to supper, Miller went out and Brewster resumed the reading of a book in which he was engaged. The Professor, Colonel and Alex had not yet come in. Significant glances passed between the others, and soon Wright arose and said: "Boys! the Emmetts drill to-night; suppose we go down to the armory and look on for half an hour." The rest all agreed that it would be good exercise, and quietly the four men went out, Wright saying as he started: "Brewster, if the others come, tell them we have just gone down to the Emmetts armory, and will be back in half an hour or so."