His first proclamation was made at the corner of Deansgate, and by this time—though the street had previously appeared quite empty—he had got a small crowd round him, while several persons appeared at the doors and windows.
"No more provisions to be taken away!" cried one of the bystanders; "that means the town is about to be besieged."
"That's not it," cried another. "It means that the young Pretender and his army will soon be here."
"Whatever it means you must obey the order," said the bellman. "And so, God save the king!"
"God save King James the Third!" "Down with the Elector of Hanover!" shouted several persons.
And as these were violently opposed by the supporters of the reigning monarch, and a fight seemed likely to ensue, the bellman marched off to repeat his proclamation elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the party assembled in Tom Syddall's back room had separated, but not before they had agreed upon another meeting at an early hour on the morrow.
End of the First Book.
BOOK II.
PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD IN MANCHESTER.