Chapter Twenty Five.
The Troubles culminate.
The fire at the wheelwright’s lasted people nearly a month for gossip, but Hickathrift would not believe it was the work of spirits now.
Then came the news of a fresh outrage. The horses employed in bringing stones for certain piers to water-gates were shot dead one night.
Next, a fresh attempt was made to blow up the sluice, but failed.
Last of all, the man who was put on to watch was shot dead, and his body found in the drain.
After this there was a pause, and the work was carried on with sullen watchfulness and bitter hate. The denunciations against the workers of the evil were fierce and long.
But in spite of all, the drain progressed slowly and steadily. The engineer was carrying his advances right into the stronghold of the fen-men, who bore it all in silence, but struck sharply again and again.
“I wonder who is to get the next taste!” said Tom Tallington one day as he and Dick were talking.