Page:The New Arcadia (Tucker).djvu/72

62 "Well, I don't like a fellow as is ashamed of his comrades and his colours," said the Sergeant, decisively.

"I'll wear none of their uniform, if I stop in town for it," swaggered Dick.

Just then his host passed. Hearing the remark he replied—

"Then you can stay in town, Malduke"—adding to Elms—"I won't have your friend at any price. Sergeant."

"Then I'm off," returned the agitator; "I'll wear no capitalist's bloomin' colours, blowed if I does."

"I'd better show the way out," remarked Travers, significantly; "we should make short work of such as you at Cambridge, my fine fellow."

"Oh, I'll denounce you," was the fierce reply. "I'lll write to the Leveller, and expose your money-making, sweating scheme. I know your little ways." And to the astonishment of the company, the "guest that had not on the wedding garment" swaggered out of the hall.

When well outside, Dick paused a moment, then banging one fist into the palm of the other hand, declared with an oath—

"See if I don't go. And smash it all up too—sure's my name's Dick Malduke."

No one, unless it were Elms, quite understood, later, how it was that, despite his unmanliness and some demur on the doctor's part, Dick was permitted to accompany the emigrants.

The repast ended and tables cleared away, the doctor appeared on the embowered platform, and explained the nature of the undertaking. He was greeted with rounds of applause. Picturesque harvest hats waved in the air, women holding up their children to gesticulate, in