"The miners were not so ready then," said Hatton.
"They were not," said Morley speaking with some confusion.
"Well they are here now," said Hatton.
"They are," said Morley thoughtfully, but more collected.
"You saw them enter yesterday?" said Hatton. "I was sorry I
missed it, but I was taking a walk with the Gerards up Dale to
see the cottage where they once lived, and which they used to
talk of so much! Was it a strong body?"
"I should say about two thousand men, and as far as bludgeons
and iron staves go, armed."
"A formidable force with no military to encounter them."
"Irresistible, especially with a favourable population."
"You think the people were not grieved to see them?"
"Certainly. Left alone they might have remained quiet; but
they only wanted the spark. We have a number of young men
here who have for a long time been murmuring against our
inaction and what they call want of spirit. The Lancashire
strike set them all agog; and had any popular leader, Gerard
for example or Warner, resolved to move, they were ready."
"The times are critical," said Hatton wheeling his arm-chair
from the table and resting his feet on the empty fire-place.
"Lord de Mowbray had no idea of all this.
Pages:
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660