“Think not it is only for external pain—’tis also for the ills of the inner organs. See, I take some thusly,” and, tilting back his head the speaker swallowed a generous potion from the bottle. “Good for man and beast,” he went on, smacking his lips. “As harmless as a baby, and as powerful as an electric current. See, Pactolus minds it not, yet it will take the stiffness from him like magic,” and, leaning forward he rubbed some of the contents of the bottle on the animal’s flank. Pactolus merely looked around, waved his ears slowly to and fro, and seemed to take but a mild interest in the matter under discussion. Probably he was used to it. “Now who wants a bottle of this wonderful remedy?” went on the man. “The regular price is one dollar, but to introduce it among gentlemen of learning I am selling it for the small sum of twenty-five cents—a quarter—and it would be cheap at half the price. Or, if you have no immediate need for this, let me introduce to your favorable consideration and notice, my Rapid Robust Resolute Resolvent, which is a cake of soap guaranteed to take out stains on linen, silk, wool, cotton, velvet, calico and satin, the skin of the hands or face, from wall paper, newspaper, writing paper or wrapping paper. Positively nothing like it known to science. “Or, if you care not for these, I have others. My Spotless Saponifier is a soap worthy to be used by all the gods that on Olympus dwell, and it sells for only ten cents a cake. An’ you like that not, let me introduce to your polite and favorable consideration my Supremely Sterling Silver Shiner. Nothing like it known for cleaning silver, gold, brass, copper, pewter, iron, lead, bell-metal, watch chains, baseball bats, and gloves, and for brightening up a dull intellect it has no equal, though I despair of selling any for that purpose when I gaze on the bright, smiling and intelligent faces before me.” There was a mocking groan from the students at this, and some more laughter. “And now,” went on the vendor, “who will be the first to purchase some of my Peerless Permanent Pain Preventative, my Rapid Robust Resolute Resolvent, my Spotless Saponifier or the Supremely Sterling Silver Shiner? Who will be the first?” and the man, who was as gaudily attired as his wagon was painted, advanced into the crowd. There was a moment of hesitation, and then Cap, Bill and Pete, who were standing together, exchanging queer glances, heard Bondy Guilder say in a low voice to some of his particular cronies in the sporting set: “I say, fellows, let’s have some fun. Let’s upset his old apple cart, and spill his Pain Killer and other stuff. He has nerve, trying to do business so near the school. There ought to be a rule to keep these peddlers away. Let’s make a rough house for him.” “Sure! Go ahead! We’re with you!” agreed several. “Come on, we’ll all make a rush together.” Cap and his brothers heard. They looked at each other and nodded.