In the midst a
piteous voice exclaimed -
'Oh, Griffith! Mr. Griffith Winslow! Is it you?' and Lady Peacock
was seen retreating upon the stone steps of a house either empty, or
where the inhabitants were too much alarmed to open the doors. She
was terribly frightened, and the two gentlemen stood in front of her
till the tumultuary procession had passed by. She was staying in
lodgings at Clifton, and had driven in to Bristol to shop, when she
thus found herself entangled in the mob. They then escorted her to
the place where she was to meet her carriage, and found it for her
with some difficulty. Then, while the officer returned to his
quarters, Griff accompanied her far enough on the way to Clifton to
see that everything was quiet before her, and then returned to seek
out his friend. The court at the Guildhall had had to be adjourned,
but the rioters were hunting Sir Charles to the Mansion-House.
Griff was met by one of the Town Council, a tradesman with whom we
dealt, who, having perhaps heard of his prowess at Hillside,
entreated him to remain, offering him a bed, and saying that all
friends of order were needed in such a crisis as this. Griff wrote
a note to let us know what had become of him, but everything was
disorganised, and we did not get it till two days afterwards.
In the evening the mob became more violent, and in the midst of
dinner a summons came for Griff's host to attend the Mayor in
endeavouring to disperse it.
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