Getting into the Mansion-House by
private back ways, they were able to join the Mayor when he came
out, amid a shower of brickbats, sticks, and stones, and read the
Riot Act three times over, after warning them of the consequences of
persisting in their defiance.
'But they were far past caring for that,' said Griff. 'An iron rail
from the square was thrown in the midst of it, and if I had not
caught it there would have been an end of his Worship.'
The constables, with such help as Griff and a few others could give
them, defended the front of the Mansion-House, while the Recorder,
for whom they savagely roared, made his escape by the roof to
another house. A barricade was made with beds, tables, and chairs,
behind which the defenders sheltered themselves, while volleys of
stones smashed in the windows, and straw was thrown after them. But
at last the tramp of horses' feet was heard, and the Dragoons came
up.
'We thought all over then,' said Griff; 'but Colonel Brereton would
not have a blow struck, far less a shot fired! He would have it
that it was a good-humoured mob! I heard him! When one of his own
men was brought up badly hurt with a brickbat, I heard Ludlow, the
Town-Clerk, ask him what he thought of their good humour, and he had
nothing to say but that it was an accident! And the rogues knew it!
He took care they should; he walked about among them and shook hands
with them!'
Griff waited at the Mansion-House all night, and helped to board up
the smashed windows; but at daylight Colonel Brereton came and
insisted on withdrawing the piquet on guard--not, however, sending a
relief for them, on the plea that they only collected a crowd.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197