Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872. Excerpt: ... fear," for he was the magistrate on whom devolved the perilous duty of reading the Riot Act to that infuriated mob. A halt was called, and the Justice at once went to work, reading the Act in a quavering voice, which provoked shouts of laughter from the rioters. Then he attempted to address a few words to the mob, warning them to disperse on pain of death. The reply was a volley of stones, one of which knocked the magistrate off his horse. Then the soldiers fired, and the battle became general. The Irishmen, always ready for a row, fought with their usual courage, strewing the ground with wounded and dead. But the terrible volleys of stones crushed them as the hailstorm crushes the young grapes in a southern vineyard. The rebels were at least twenty to one, brave as lions, and well skilled in the management of the rude artillery with which they fought. After sustaining the unequal contest for nearly an hour, the soldiers retreated in good order, turning round from time to time to fire on the enemy. Six of their number were left dead on the field, and many more were borne off more or less wounded. The Captain closed the retreat, leading off with him the unfortunate Justice, whose efforts to make the majesty of the law respected had terminated so disastrously. The rest is soon told. The Captain of the rioters kept with his men till they were fairly out of the town, then warning them that their only chance was to disperse at once, he spurred his horse into a gallop, and was seen no more. The miners and soldiers who had fallen in the skirmish were carried into the church, and, after the Coroner's Inquest, were all buried in one grave. The wounded were carried off to hiding-places, where they remained in safety until the storm had blown over. On opening the do...
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