666 MEETING OF THE DELEGATES. 



" Order, order !" shouted a dozen voices, for Dick was now on 

 his legs : " Order, order ! it 'ell be all right when we've got shot o' 

 th' tyrants." 



''Gentlemen !" said Dick all was still as death" The gathering 

 brow of darkening battle is firmly knit, and the marshalled phalanx 

 of earth-shaking liberty, comes on like the thundering tramp of con- 

 gregated millions. Already are the yelling blood-hounds of freedom- 

 crushing-tyranny seared ; but still they ride along our ranks, 

 shakjng their blood-bathed blades, while the dull, dead drum of de- 

 solation rolls fearfully ; but if they conquer, they shall unfurl their 

 night-darkening battle-banners over blazing towns and smoking vil- 

 lages. Gentlemen, the voice of distress has too long howled upon 

 the vengeance-shrieking air, or glided moaningly along the woods 

 until it has pierced the blue-based ocean, and pealed echoingly 

 through our hearts. Englishmen, arouse ye! grasp the unerring 

 lightening of revenge, and hurl its red- winged deathliness through 

 the blood-joined ranks of hell-marched tyranny, determinedly ! 

 The blazing sun of freedom has arisen in the golden glow of Liberty's 

 horizon, and pours his glorious light through gloom and glimmer 

 glade and glen, to illuminated victory." There was a pause, with 

 wide open mouths at the termination of Dick's speech. Then rose 

 the universal shout ; while the player lighted his pipe, holding it 

 with the same air as he would the torch that he one day expected to 

 bear to fire the union-pile of Liberty. 



It was now past midnight ; when all of a sudden open flew the 

 door, and in rushed a host of women, who had joined in union " to 

 either break up the Union," as they said, " or break our necks." 



"Are you coming home?" cried a tall angry-looking woman; 

 " Are you coming home, Jos. Bole ? An't you ashamed o' yoursen, 

 sotting and drinking here every night, and spending your money in- 

 stead of bringing it home to your family ? Four shillings is every 

 farden we've had on you for this last fortnight ; and yon lad hasent 

 got a bit o' foot to his shoe. Curse your Unions ! I say/' 



tf A'nt you set here long enought," screamed another sweet rib, 

 hurling the contents of a quart pot in her husband's face, " when you 

 know we ha vent had a bit o' meat i' the house only wot we got o' 

 butcher Tong wehout paying for, this last fortnight? and the baker 

 would'nt let me hev a loaf to night, cos we hedn't paid for th' las.t. 

 Curse your Unions ! I say." 



"O, you thief!" exclaimed a third dear spouse, seizing her hus- 

 band by the hair of his head ; f< so you've set up nineteen shillings 

 for a ale score hev you, and I hevent a bit o' gown to my back you 

 down-looking villain ! When I married you I'd nine bright goden 

 guinea in my pocket, and you was over th' head an' ears i' debt you 

 lazy rascal you !" 



"O, you robber of righteousness!" shrieked a fourth, breaking 

 her husband's pipe, heaving the tobacco on the fire, and banging the 

 pewter pot at his head. " You villanous dog ! do you mean to bring 



us all to beggary through your curst Union, and your d 



delegates ? Curse your delegates !" hurling a candlestick at Dick's 

 head, who jumped up and ran out at the open door. 



