before Harry realized his purpose. The blow, however, was vigorously
returned; but Ben, besides being larger and stronger than his victim,
had a large stone in his hand, with which he struck him a blow on the
side of his head, knocking him insensible to the ground.

The wretch, seeing that he had done his work, fled along the side of
the walk of the burying ground, pursued by several persons who had
witnessed the assault. Ben was a fleet runner this time, and succeeded
in making his escape.

CHAPTER XIX

IN WHICH HARRY FINDS THAT EVEN A BROKEN HEAD MAY BE OF SOME USE TO A
PERSON

When Harry recovered his consciousness, he found himself in an
elegantly furnished chamber, with several persons standing around the
bed upon which he had been laid. A physician was standing over him,
engaged in dressing the severe wound he had received in the side of
his head.

"There, young man, you have had a narrow escape," said the doctor, as
he saw his patient's eyes open.

"Where am I?" asked Harry, faintly, as he tried to concentrate his
wandering senses.

"You are in good hands, my boy. What is your name?"

"Harry West. Can't I go home now?" replied the sufferer, trying to
rise on the bed.

"Do you feel as though you could walk home?"

"I don't know; I feel kind of faint."

"Does your head pain you?"

"No, sir; it feels numb, and everything seems to be flying round."

"I dare say."

Harry expressed an earnest desire to go home, and the physician
consented to accompany him in a carriage to Mrs. Flint's residence. He
had been conveyed in his insensible condition to a house in Boylston
Street, the people of which were very kind to him, and used every
effort to make him comfortable.

A carriage was procured, and Harry was assisted to enter it; for he
was so weak and confused that he could not stand alone. Ben had struck
him a terrible blow; and, as the physician declared, it was almost a
miracle that he had not been killed.

Mrs. Flint and Katy were shocked and alarmed when they saw the
helpless boy borne into the house; but everything that the
circumstances required was done for him.

"Has Edward come home?" he asked, when they had placed him on the bed.

"No, not yet."

"They will wonder what has become of me at the store," continued the
sufferer, whose thoughts reverted to his post of duty.

"I will go down to the store and tell them what has happened," said
Mr. Callender, the kind gentleman to whos