in the morning. For then his hunger overcame him. He hesitated where the

hot-smelling loaves were being tossed into a cart, and then very

quietly knelt down and commenced robbery. He emptied the cart while the

baker's man fled for the police, and then his great hand came into the

shop and cleared counter and cases. Then with an armful, still eating,

he went his way looking for another shop to go on with his meal. It

happened to be one of those seasons when work is scarce and food dear,

and the crowd in that quarter was sympathetic even with a giant who took

the food they all desired. They applauded the second phase of his meal,

and laughed at his stupid grimace at the policeman.

I woff hungry," he said, with his mouth full.

Brayvo!" cried the crowd. "Brayvo!"

Then when he was beginning his third baker's shop, he was stopped by

half a dozen policemen hammering with truncheons at his shins. "Look

here, my fine giant, you come along o' me," said the officer in charge.

"You ain't allowed away from home like this. You come off home with me."

They did their best to arrest him. There was a trolley, I am told,

chasing up and down streets at that time, bearing rolls of chain and

ship's cable to play the part of handcuffs in that great arrest. There

was no intention then of killing him. "He is no party to the plot,"

Caterham had said. "I will not have innocent blood upon my hands." And

added: "--until everything else has been tried."

300

The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth