“Father Tye ’ll never preach a better word than that,” said a voice in the crowd.
Mr Simnel looked up as if to see who spoke.
“Go on with thy work, old cage-maker!” cried another voice. “We’ll not find thee more gaol-birds to-day than what thou hast.”
“You’d best hold your saucy tongues,” said the nettled Bailiff.
“Nay, be not so tetchy, Master Simnel!” said another. The same person never seemed to speak twice; a wise precaution, since the speaker was less likely to be arrested if he did not repeat the offence. “Five slices of meat be enough for one man’s supper.”
This allusion to the number of the prisoners, and the rapacity of the Bailiff, was received with laughter by the crowd. The Bailiff’s temper, never of the best, was quite beyond control by this time. He relieved it by giving Mount a heavy blow, as he pushed him into line after tying his wife to him.
“Hit him back, Father Mount!” cried one of the voices. William Mount shook his head with a smile.
“I’ll hit some of you—see if I don’t!” responded the incensed Bailiff, who well knew his own unpopularity.
“Hush, fellows!” said an authoritative voice. “Will ye resist the Queen’s servants?”
John Thurston and his wife were next tied together, and placed behind the Mounts, the crowd remaining quiet while this was being done. Then they brought Rose Allen, and fastened her, by a cord round her wrists, to the same rope.