CHAPTER XXII.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 5 August 1882, Page 5

CHAPTER XXII.

A great crowd had gatheied before the courthouse of Grit. It was si strange building that ; formed, of course, of dingy red bricks. It would have puzzled the most learned architect to understand its order, unless he characterise'] 3as the brickdiusty disorder. The leading residents were gathered on the balcony, anxiously waiting for Dr Rouse, who was to declare the state of the poll. Iv the distance, but every moment coming nearer, the strains of the band sounded. To Hector and bis friends it seemed a triumphal march. The band was just turning the corner of the stieot that led up to the courthouse, or town hall — for it served both purposes — when a great cheer announced tho appearance of the principal actors. I) i- Rouse came forward, followed by Hector Macinnis, Mr Miall, Bunakum, and the rest. The assemblage were fomewhat puzzled to hear the crowd further down the street cheering iv a different strain, while tha band struck up " Jack's the Lad." "Gentlemen," said Dr Rouse, amidst the noise, " it is my duty now to declare the state of the poll. It is — Hector Macinnis 2051 William Miall . . . 1675." Here his voice was drowned in a trenienduous roar of voices, the feeble attempts of the opposition to groan being reii doled ineffective. It was like the growling of a bassoon amidst the din of an orchestra when the climax is i cached. " I therefore declare Hector MacinniH duly elected. " With a bright eye and smiling face, Hector Macinnis stepped for word, his appearance in front being greeted with cheer upon cheer. Buuuku.ni waved his hand for silence, and Hector was on the point of addressing the assemblage, when the stillness was broken by a shout, so tremendous that it fairly shook the building, and a thousand voices were raised at tbp samo moment, crying— " Jack is saved !" Hector Macinnis looked straight bofere him, and the triumph died out of his eyes, the color out of his cheek 3, as he saw Jack mounted on the shoulders of the miners. A sort of film teemed to gather before him, the building appeared to totter, the figures on the poll board were blotted out, and in their places appeared a terrible, distorted face - that seomed to mock him, and to burn into his soul. . He staggered back into the arms cf Obadiah Sweetoomfort.