"For what purpose?" demanded Jemmy.
"Rebellion! rebellion! Can you doubt it?" said Mr. Lewthwaite.
"Ay, yo may ca' it rebellion an yo like, but this be the plain truth," said the man. "T' magistrates ha' just gi'en orders that Salford Bridge shan be blowed up to hinder t' Pretender, as yo ca' him, or t' prince, as we ca' him, fro' comin' into t' town, wi' his army. Now we Jacobites won't let the bridge be meddled with, so we han had the fire-bells rung to rouse the townsfolk."
"And you mean to resist the authorities?" cried Mr. Lewthwaite.
"Ay, that we do," rejoined the man, defiantly. "They shan't move a stone of the bridge."
"Beware what you do! You are rebelling against your lawful sovereign as represented by the magistrates. Forget not that rebellion provokes the Lord's anger, and will bring down his vengeance upon you."
"I canna bide to listen to a sarmon just now," rejoined the man, hurrying off.
"Can't we obtain a sight of what is going on at the bridge from the banks of the river?" said Constance.
"Yes, I will take you to a spot that commands a complete view of the bridge," rejoined Jemmy; "where you can see all that is to be seen, and yet not run the slightest risk."
"Shall we go, Monica?" said Constance.