"Let me tackle him, mate," said Sim. "Here's a cheer here, Maister Banks; come an' sit along-side me. Yow've come to join uz then, at last?" "Yes," said Banks, shortly, as he beckoned Tom Podmore to his side. "I always said he would, lads," cried Sim. "I always said it. He's seen the error of his ways, and come to join the brotherhood, and clasp the honest horny hand o' labour. He's a paytriot at heart, is Maister Banks, and I knew as he'd come at last." "But," said Barker, "our friend is not yet one of the brotherhood." "What?" said Banks sharply. "Our friend has not taken the oaths," said Barker. "Oaths--Brotherhood"--cried Banks. "Don't I tell you I join you? What more do you want?" "You leave Joe Banks to me, lads, and I'll explain," said Sim, confidentially. "You see, Joe Banks, we binds and ties oursens together wi' oaths like in a holy bond, and sweers brotherly love. Don't you see?" "Yes, you must be sworn in, Mr Banks; it's the rule." "Swear me in, then," said Banks, contemptuously. Several of the men then advanced, and Banks and Podmore were seized, while Slee began to place a folded handkerchief across the former's eyes. "What do you mean by this mummery?" exclaimed the foreman; and he tried to drag away the handkerchief, but was stopped. "This is part of the formula for the administration of the oath," said Barker. "Kneel down. Now bring forward the swords." Two of the men came forward with the swords, which had been extracted from their hiding-place, and as Joe Banks was half forced into a kneeling position, they were held crossed over his head. "Silence!" exclaimed Barker. "Now, you swear." "Curse your childish folly!" cried Banks, starting up, tearing the bandage from his eyes, and sending the cross swordsmen flying. "Ye're worse than a set o' bairns in their play-a." "Haw--haw--haw!" laughed Big Harry. "I niver see such a siaght in my liafe." "I swear to be faithful brother to you," exclaimed Banks, "and to fight with you against all our enemies." "That'll do; that'll do," exclaimed several voices. "We know Joe Banks always does what he says; he'll do." "But that wean't do," said Sim. "It aint the oath, you know, Joe Banks, and you must tak' it." "I'll take no other," cried Banks, shortly. "Wheer's Tom Podmore?" Tom was brought forward, bandaged, while Slee and Barker whispered together; and the majority of the men seemed to look upon the scene as one to be held in great veneration. "Sweer in Tom Podmore," cried Slee; and the men with the swords were once more about to perform their theatrical act with the most solemn of faces. "Stop!" cried Banks, snatching off the bandage. "That's enew o' this stuff. I'll answer for Tom Podmore. Let's hev deeds, not words." "I'll go on to explain," said Sim, snatching at the chance for a speech. "I was speaking when you came in, Joe Banks."