The people were fired on and sabred. The indignant spirit of
Gerard resisted; he struck down a trooper to the earth, and
incited those about him not to yield. The father of Sybil was
picked out--the real friend and champion of the People--and
shot dead. Instantly arose a groan which almost quelled the
spirit of Lord Marney, though armed and at the head of armed
men. The people who before this were in general scared and
dispersing, ready indeed to fly in all directions, no sooner
saw their beloved leader fall than a feeling of frenzy came
over them. They defied the troopers, though themselves armed
only with stones and bludgeons; they rushed at the horsemen
and tore them from their saddles, while a shower of stones
rattled on the helmet of Lord Marney and seemed never to
cease. In vain the men around him charged the infuriated
throng; the people returned to their prey, nor did they rest
until Lord Marney fell lifeless on Mowbray Moor, literally
stoned to death.
These disastrous events of course occurred at a subsequent
period of the day to that on which half-a-dozen troopers were
ascending the staircase of the Round Tower of Mowbray Castle.
The distracted house-steward of Lord de Mowbray had met and
impressed upon them, now that the Castle was once more in
their possession, of securing the muniment room, for Mr
Bentley had witnessed the ominous ascent of Morley and his
companions to that important chamber.
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