Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/345

 Rise of Russia and Prussia 307 anybody without resenting the insult. He modestly repre- sented to them the injustice of such indiscriminate satire, acknowledged that there were bad, but insisted there were also good, men in all countries ; begged they would not lay him under the disagreeable necessity of quarreling with them by enlarging further on such a grating subject; and told them that it was unworthy gentlemen to be influenced by vulgar prejudices. The mildness of his reproof, like oil poured upon the fire, only served to inflame these brave fellows, who exclaimed against foreigners and Scotland more than ever. When he could bear their insolence no longer he gave the one who sat next to him a blow on the temple which brought him to the floor. In an instant he and the other five were upon Mr. Gordon and seemed determined to make him fall a victim to their national prejudice. But our author, not in the least intimidated by their number, in a few minutes obliged them to retreat, and had the glory of the victory in this very unequal combat. Though they used no other weapons but their fists, Mr. Gordon's were so weighty, and bestowed with such good will, that his antagonists bore the marks of them for several weeks. Next day a complaint was given to Tsar Peter, wherein Mr. Gordon was represented in the worst light imaginable. His Majesty thought it a very singular thing to have a com- plaint of this nature brought before him when attended with such disgraceful circumstances on the part of the complain- ers; he therefore immediately ordered Mr. Gordon to be sent for. Our author, though no man was less a coward, owned that this message made him tremble. However, as it be- hooved him to be obeyed, he instantly waited upon the tsar, who, putting on a very stern countenance, asked him how he came to be so turbulent and whether the charge brought against him was just. Mr. Gordon told his Majesty of the quarrel with so much ingenuity, spoke so modestly of his own behavior, and seemed so sorry to have incurred the tsar's displeasure, that the affair ended in a manner quite contrary to the expectations of his enemies.