This ridiculous catastrophe had
terribly excited the ire of the Liberator. He vowed
vengeance, and as, like all great revolutionary characters and
military leaders, the only foundation of his power was
constant employment for his troops and constant excitement for
the populace, he determined to place himself at the head of
the chastising force, and make a great example which should
establish his awful reputation and spread the terror of his
name throughout the district.
Field the Chartist had soon discovered who were the rising
spirits of Mowbray, and Devilsdust and Dandy Mick were both
sworn on Monday morning of the council of the Liberator, and
took their seats at the board accordingly. Devilsdust, used
to public business and to the fulfilment of responsible
duties, was calm and grave, but equally ready and determined.
Mick's head on the contrary was quite turned by the importance
of his novel position. He was greatly excited, could devise
nothing and would do anything, always followed Devilsdust in
council, but when he executed their joint decrees and showed
himself about the town, he strutted like a peacock, swore at
the men and winked at the girls, and was the idol and
admiration of every gaping or huzzaing younker.
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