speedily forgot all my annoyances in the prospect of figuring to
advantage before her. When we reached the College Green the leaders of
the cortege suddenly drew up, and we soon found that the entire street
opposite the Bank was filled with a dense mob of people, who appeared
to be swayed hither and thither, like some mighty beast, as the
individuals composing it were engaged in close conflict. It was
nothing more nor less than one of those almost weekly rows which then
took place between the students of the University and the
town's-people, and which rarely ended without serious consequences.
The numbers of people pressing on to the scene of action soon blocked
up our retreat, and we found ourselves most unwilling spectators of the
conflict. Political watch-words were loudly shouted by each party; and
at last the students, who appeared to be yielding to superior numbers,
called out for the intervention of the police. The aid was nearer than
they expected; for at the same instant a body of mounted policemen,
whose high helmets rendered them sufficiently conspicuous, were seen
trotting at sharp pace down Dame Street. On they came with drawn
sabres, led by a well-looking, gentleman-like personage in plain
clothes, who dashed at once into the middle of the fray, issuing his
orders, and pointing out to his followers to secure the ringleaders.
Up to this moment I had been a most patient and rather amused spectator
of what was doing. Now, however, my part was to commence, for at the
word 'Charge,' given in a harsh, deep voice by the sergeant of the
party, Marius, remembering his ancient instinct, pricked up his ears,
cocked his tail, flung up both his hind legs till they nearly broke the
Provost's windows, and plunged into the thickest of the fray like a
devil incarnate.

"Self-preservation must be a strong instinct, for I well remember how
little pain it cost me to see the people tumbling and rolling beneath
me, while I continued to keep my seat. It was only a moment before,
and that immense mass were a man-to-man encounter, now all the
indignation of both parties seemed turned upon me; brick-bats were
loudly implored and paving-stones begged to throw at my devoted head;
the Wild Huntsman of the German romance never created half the terror
nor one-tenth of the mischief that I did in less than fifteen minutes,
for the ill-starred beast continued twining and twisting like a
serpent, plunging and kicking the entire time