"There's summot i' that," said Soldier Jack; "anyway we mustn't stop
shivering here. Yo' mun keep 'em movin, General. There's nowt men hate
worse nor waiting i' th' dark. They get fleyed at their own shadders,
an' start at their own thowts. Push us forward, George, an' let us get
to close quarters, for every minute wasted now means a deserter."
"Right yo' are, Soldier. Aw've noticed more nor one slinking off; but aw
thowt it best to say nowt," said Thorpe.
"Then forward, men! Th' Leeds lot will be here in time for th' shouting.
All the more glory will be ours. Now forward and no more lagging."
We moved on again, turning sharply down a lane that led from the Moor
towards the mill. We could see the buildings now, the mill itself, four
stories high, with smaller buildings, the dyehouse, drying stove and
such like, clustering near it. A brook ran rippling over rounded pebbles
to the dam and from the goit to the great water-wheel. We could hear the
water of the beck babbling when we started, but its murmur was lost in
the thud of our feet as we closed on the mill. Not a light was to be
seen. The moon shone at moments on the windows, but no ray came from
within. But smoke came in a thin stream from the long chimney, and
showed that the boiler fire was banked up ready for Monday's work. Now
we neared with quickened steps to the mill-yard, and out into the night
came from within the fierce baying of the watch-dog. It hadn't bayed two
minutes when a single light shone out from the counting house, and we
could see it move from window to window, and other lights glowed now
from other portions of the mill. The watchers within had heard the
faithful hound, and were doubtless speeding to their post's and
standing, to their arms.
"Rush for the gate, hatchets to the front!" shouted George.
A band of men with hatchets sprang forward, and began to ply their
weapons at the gates.
"Musket men line up," came the sharp command. "Give them a volley at the
windows. Now, lads, spread yourselves. Cover the windows. Bullets and
stones, mi lads, let 'em have it."
I caught sight of Booth. I seized the arm as he was hurrying past me.
"Stand by me, John; stand by me and 'Siah. Dunnot leave our side, as yo'
love yo'r sister."
"My place is elsewhere, Ben."
"Stand by me, aw tell yo. 'Siah, be with me. See! the outer door gives.
They're in, they're in! Now 'Siah! follow me. Come, John."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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