The crowd seemed to throb as some great engine of humanity. It seemed to think with one brain, beat with one heart and call with one voice.
The cry grew into an angry roar.
Suddenly Father Cahill appeared amongst them. "Go back to your homes," he commanded, breathlessly.
"Stay where you are," shouted O'Connell.
"In the name of the Catholic Church, go!" said the priest.
"In the name of our down-trodden and suffering people, stay!" thundered O'Connell.
"Don't listen to him. Listen to the voice of God!"
"God's help comes to those who help themselves," answered the agitator.
Father Cahill made his last and strongest appeal:
"My poor children, the constabulary are coming to break up the meetin' and to arrest HIM."