THE SLIGHT ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE. 19

This taunt, and the general laugh that
followed it, only stimulated Mertoun to
make the attempt. But it was an easier
thing to resolve on than to execute. The
height, to be sure, was not very form
dable; and the boy was well known as
a bold and active climber; but his per-
formances had hitherto ‘been confined to
trees, and how was he to commence ope-
rations on a smooth surface of brickwork,
that offered neither the trunk to swarm,
nor branches to cling to. If the wall had
been decayed ever so little; or if even
a single brick had been removed; the
case would have been different. But our
hero (for such’ Harry Mertoun may be
styled) was not in a humour to be easily
discouraged. He took a careful survey
of the whole line of building; and his
eye soon rested on the only point: which