"Master Joseph they say has gone to the North," said the
comely dame.
"I wonder if old Diggs is at home?" said Mrs Mullins.
"He won't show I'll be sworn," said old Dame Toddles.
"Here are the Hell-cats," said the comely dame. "Well I do
declare they march like reglars; two, four, six, twelve; a
good score at the least."
The Hell-cats briskly marched up to the elm-trees that shaded
the canal before the house, and then formed in line opposite
to it. They were armed with bludgeons, crowbars, and hammers.
Tummas was at the head and by his side his Wodgate wife.
Stepping forth alone, amid the cheering of the crowd of women,
the pupil of the Bishop advanced to the door of Diggs' house,
gave a loud knock and a louder ring. He waited patiently for
several minutes; there was no reply from the interior, and
then Tummas knocked and rang again.
"It's very awful," said the comely dame.
"It's what I always dreamt would come to pass," said Liza
Gray, "ever since Master Joseph cut my poor baby over the eye
with his three foot rule."
"I think there can be nobody within," said Mrs Prance.
"Old Diggs would never leave the tommy without a guard," said
Mrs Page.
"Now lads," said Tummas looking round him and making a sign,
and immediately some half dozen advanced with their crowbars
and were about to strike at the door, when a window in the
upper story of the house opened and the muzzle of a
blunderbuss was presented at the assailants.
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