The Regulators drew nearer and nearer, and the stones fell thick about the object of their wrath, until, finally, one struck him on the shoulder, and another knocked his cap from his head.

“I can’t stand that,” said Frank; and, springing from the steps, he started to the rescue, followed by all of his companions, (except Harry, who still paced the steps), and they succeeded in throwing themselves between Lee and his assailants.

Several of the Regulators faltered on seeing Lee thus defended; but Charles, followed by half a dozen of his “right-hand men,” advanced, and attempted to force his way between Frank and his companions.

“Hold on, here!” said Frank, as he gently, but firmly, resisted Charles’s attempts to push him aside.  “What are you trying to do?”

“What business is that of yours?” answered Charles, roughly, as he continued his efforts to reach Lee.  “You question me as if you were my master.  Stand aside, if you don’t want to get yourself in trouble.”

“You don’t intend to hurt Lee, do you?”

“Yes, I do.  But it’s none of your business, any way.  Get out of the way!”

“Has he ever done you any harm?”

“It’s none of your business, I say!” shouted Charles, now almost beside himself with rage.

“And I want you to keep your hands off me!” he continued, as Frank seized his arm, which he had raised to strike Lee, who stood close behind his protector.

Frank released his hold, and Charles sprang forward again, and, dodging Frank’s grasp, slipped under his arm, and attempted to seize the Hiller.  But Frank was as quick as a cat in his motions; and, before Charles had time to strike a blow, he seized him with a grip that brought from him a cry of pain, and seated him, unceremoniously, on the ground.

As soon as Charles could regain his feet, he called out,

“Here it is, boys—­just as I expected!  Never mind the Hiller, but let’s go to work and give the other fellows a thrashing that they won’t get over in a month.”

And he sprang toward Frank, against whom he seemed to cherish an especial grudge, followed by a dozen Regulators, who brandished their fists as if they intended to annihilate Lee’s gallant defenders.  But, just as Charles was about to attack Frank, a new actor appeared.  Harry Butler, who had greatly changed his mind in regard to “thrashing the Hillers,” seeing that the attack was about to be renewed, sprang down the steps, and caught Charles in his arms, and threw him to the ground, like a log.

The others had been no less successful in repulsing their assailants; and, when Charles rose to his feet, he saw three or four of the Regulators, who had followed him to the attack, sprawling on the ground, and the rest retreating precipitately.

“Now,” said Harry, “let’s stop this.  We’ve had enough of it.”

But Charles, and several more of the Regulators, seemed to be of a different opinion, and were about to recommence their hostile demonstrations, when Harry continued,