A hostile and simultaneous movement of the group brought four or five of the foremost on him. Up rose the chair on which Jasper had leaued--up it rose in his right hand, and two of the assailants fell as falls an ox to the butcher's blow. With his left hand he wrenched a knife from a third of the foes, and thus armed with blade and buckler, he sprang on the table, towering over all. Before him was the man with the revolver, a genteeler outlaw than the restticket-of-leave man, who had been transported for forgery. "Shall I shoot him?" whispered this knave to Cutts. Cutts drew back the hesitating arm. "No; the noise! bludgeons safer." Pounce, as Cutts whispered--pounce as a hawk on its quarry, darted Jasper's swoop on the Forger, and the next moment, flinging the chair in the faces of those who were now swarming up the table, Jasper was armed with the revolver, which he had clutched from its startled owner, and its six barrels threatened death, right and left, beside and before and around him, as he turned from face to face. Instantly there fell a hush--instantly the assault paused. Every one felt that there no faltering would make the hand tremble or the ball swerve. Whereever Jasper turned the foes recoiled. He laughed with audacious mockery as he surveyed the recreants. "Down with your arms, each of you--down that knife, down that bludgeon. That's well. Down yours--there; yours--yours. What, all down! Pile them here on the table at my feet. Dogs, what do you fear?-death. The first who refuses dies." Mute and servile as a repentant Legion to a Caesar's order, the knaves piled their weapons. "Unbar the door, you two. You, orator Cutts, go in front; light a candle--open the street-door. So-so-so. Who will treat me with a parting cup--to your healths? Thank you, sir. Fall back there; stand back--along the wall--each of you. Line my way. Ho, ho!--you harm me--you daunt me--you--you! Stop--I have a resolution to propose. Hear it, and cheer. 'That this meeting rescinds the resolution for the expulsion of General Jasper, and entreats him humbly to remain, the pride and ornament of the club!' Those who are for that resolution, hold up their hands--as many as are against it, theirs. Carried unanimously. Gentlemen, I thank you--proudest day of my life--but I'll see you hanged first; and till that sight diverts me,--gentlemen, your health." Descending from his eminence, he passed slowly down the room unscathed, unmenaced, and, with a low mocking bow at the threshold, strode along the passage to the streetdoor. There, seeing Cutts with the light in his hand, he uncocked the pistol, striking off the caps, and giving it to his quondam associate, said: "Return that to its owner, with my compliments. One word-speak truth, and fear nothing. Did you send help to Darrell?" "No; I swear it."