Then shouts drowned his voice and a resolute and angry faction got over the rope with intent to stop the proceedings.
Mr. Taverner was appealed to by Jarratt Weekes.
"Stop 'em—stop 'em!—they can't interfere. This is private land!" he shouted.
But Jacob had gone over to the other side.
"If I'd known who it was——" he began, and stripped his mourning band off his hat.
At this sign the ring was broken up; a torch fell here and there and illuminated the open graves; then, like the sudden charge of some great beast, Brendon, who had at last understood, ploughed through the people and cast them to right and left. In another moment his hand was on the collar of Jarratt Weekes. With one sweep of his arm he tore the surplice off; then he dashed the book aside; and then he shook the mummer till Jarratt screamed and an answering scream came from his mother.
"Speak," said Daniel. "Tell me why you've done this; and tell me why I shouldn't let the life out of you for doing it!"
"Let go my neck, then," answered the other. Then he shouted to the people, "Why don't you pull this fool away? D'you want to see me killed?"
"Sarve you right," cried a dozen voices. "We'd do the like if we was the husband!"
"Speak!" repeated Brendon. His eyes burnt redder than the flames of the torch-fires round him.