The Parson O' Dumford Part 74

said Big Harry, "but I were in the blast when we cast that bell in the wet mowld."

"Bah!" cried Sim.

"Well, lad, look here now," said Big Harry, "you're a fine chap to talk; s'pose you do all the martyr wuck your own sen."

"I'm ashamed on you," cried Sim, as this proposal was met by a burst of cheers. "Isn't theer one on you as will rise out of his sloth and slime, and prove hissen a paytriot. Didn't I mak' all the plans?

Didn't I invent the plot? Am I to do everything? Hevn't I allays been scrarping about for the cause? Don't let me blush for you all, and feel as there isn't one as'll come forward and lay the train. I'll do it,"

he continued, looking hard at Banks, who was staring at vacancy, "if no one else comes forward. I'll go and wuck for the holy mission, as I did over the cooting o' the bands, if there's no other paytriot as rises to the height."

Here there was a dead silence, and Barker broke it by saying--

"Had they not better draw lots?"

"Yes," said Sim, enthusiastically.

"Not if I knows it," said Big Harry, thrusting his hands further into his pockets.

"Say the plan ower again, mun," said Banks, in a low voice. "No mouthin', but joost the plan."

"To climb in at the little window."

"Yes."

"Lay the powther under the middle wall."

"Yes."

"Break open the staves to let it out--lay a good train--light a slow match close to the leather (ladder)."

"Yes."

"Run up and get out as you got in."

"Yes," said Joe Banks, softly, "or die."

"And you understand?"

"Yes."

"And the wucks 'll be blown to atoms."

"And what are we to do for wuck then?" said Big Harry.

"You great maulkin, you get no wuck now," cried Sim; and the big fellow grunted and looked uncomfortable.

"And you will do all this, Sim Slee?" said Banks quietly.

"Who? I?" cried Sim, shrinking away.

Joe Banks looked at him contemptuously, and then turned to the men.

"I'll do it, my lads," he said. "No one knows the old plaace as I know it, and if it's to be blown down, mine's the hand as shall do it.

Thuzday night? Good! Be three or four of you theer with the powther under the window, and I'll be ready to tak' it in."

There was a burst of applause at this, and the meeting broke up, the folded flags being carefully b.u.t.toned up in Barker's breast, while Sim Slee walked stiffly home, with a sword down each leg of his trousers, and the hilts under his scarlet waistcoat, beneath his arms.

Volume 3, Chapter V.

MR SELWOOD HEARS NEWS.

There was a week clear before the plot was to have effect, and the place was wonderfully quiet. The vicar, looking very pale and anxious, was sitting in his study on the morning after the meeting at the Bull, when a note was brought to him from the Big House, and he coloured slightly as he read it.

"Tell the messenger I will be up directly," he said; and as the maid left the room, "what is wrong now? Come, come, be a man."

He smiled to himself as he took up his hat and stick, and walked up the street, to be greeted here and there with friendly nods.

He was shown at once into the drawing-room, where Mrs Glaire was seated with Eve, and after a kindly, sad greeting, the latter left the room.

"I have good news for you, Mr Selwood," said Mrs Glaire, smiling, but looking worn and pale.

"I'm very glad," said the vicar, pressing her hand.

"Richard has promised me that if the men do not come in, he will give way and reopen the works."

"And when?" said the vicar, joyfully.

"He will call the men together this day week, for the furnaces to be lit, so as to begin work on the Monday."

"Mrs Glaire, this is indeed good news," said the vicar. "May I see him and congratulate him?"

"I think it would be better not," said Mrs Glaire. "But," she continued, watching his face as she spoke, "I have other news for you."

The vicar bowed.

"Yes," she said; "but first of all, though, these communications are made to you in strict confidence. You must not let the matter be known in the town, because my son would rather that the men gave way."

"If they do not, he really will?"

"He has given me his faithful promise," said Mrs Glaire, "and he will keep it now."

"I will not doubt him," said the vicar. "I am very, very glad. And your other news?" he said, smiling.

"My son will be married very shortly."

"Married?" said the vicar, starting; "and to Daisy Banks?"

"No!" exclaimed Mrs Glaire, in a short thick voice, a spasm seeming to catch her, as she spoke. "To his cousin, to whom he is betrothed."

There was a dead silence as the vicar, whose face was of an ashen pallor, looked straight before him at vacancy, while Mrs Glaire sat watching him, with her hand placed to her side.