therefore at once
to let the Liberator enter."

"None shall enter here," replied the unseen guardian of the gate.

"That's enough," cried the Bishop.

"Beware!" said Field.

"Whether you let us in or not, 'tis all the same," said the Bishop; "I
will have fire for your water, and I have come for that. Now lads!"

"Stop," said the voice of the unseen. "I will speak to you."

"He is going to let us in," whispered Field to the Bishop.

And suddenly there appeared on the flat roof of the lodge that was on
one side of the gates--Gerard. His air, his figure, his position were
alike commanding, and at the sight of him a loud and spontaneous cheer
burst from the assembled thousands. It was the sight of one who was
after all the most popular leader of the people that had ever figured
in these parts, whose eloquence charmed and commanded, whose
disinterestedness was acknowledged, whose sufferings had created
sympathy, whose courage, manly bearing, and famous feats of strength
were a source to them of pride. There was not a Mowbray man whose heart
did not throb with emotion, and whose memory did not recall the orations
from the Druid's altar and the famous meetings on the moor. "Gerard for
ever" was the universal shout.

The Bishop who liked no one to be cheered except himself, like many
great men, was much disgusted, a little perplexed. "What does all this
mean?" he whispered to Field. "I came here to burn down the place."

"Wait awhile," said Field, "we must humour the Mowbray men a bit. This
is their favourite leader, at least was in old days. I know him well; he
is a bold and honest man."

"Is this the man who ducked my people?" asked the Bishop fiercely.

"Hush!" said Field; "he is going to speak."

"My friends," said Gerard, "for if we are not friends who should be?
(loud cheers and cries of "Very true"), if you come hear to learn
whether the Mowedale works are stopped, I give you my word there is
not a machine or man that stirs here at this moment (great cheering). I
believe you'll take my word (cheers, and cries of "We will"). I believe
I'm known at Mowbray ("Gerard for ever!"), and on Mowbray Moor too
(tumultous cheering). We have met together before this ("That we have"),
and shall meet again yet (great cheering). The people haven't so many
friends that they should quarrel with well-wishers. The master here has
done his best to soften your lots. He is not one of those who deny
that Labour has rights (loud ch