"Iss, iss," shouted the crowd; "lev un spaik."
With that I heard the same voice speaking which I had heard inside the house, only this time it was louder. It was not panic-stricken, it was perfectly calm and fearless. It was strangely sweet, too, and it reached, I should think, to the very outskirts of the crowd. A strange hush fell upon the people as they heard it. It was like a stormy sea which had suddenly become calm.
"Neighbours and countrymen," said the voice, "do you desire me to speak?"
"No, no," shouted some; "put un in stocks, throw un in the say."
Then I spoke again. "Fair play, Cornishmen," I said, "give the stranger fair play, let him speak."
"Iss, iss," cried the larger part of the crowd; "he sh'll 'ave fair play, he sh'll spaik."
With that a gangway was made, and then I turned and saw the man who had created such a great commotion in the country come bareheaded into the middle of the street, while the surging crowd hustled each other, some eager to do him injury, but many more anxious to hear what he had to say.
As for myself, I was silent, for the sight of him impressed me greatly.