ion which did not calm down for hours; but lately she had noticed
that her mistress began to take a greater interest in the details she
gave her of what was passing outside. She spoke more cheerfully when
Lucy brought in her work and sat by her bedside, and she had even
exerted herself sufficiently to get up two or three times and lie upon
the sofa in her room. It was Charlie who, full of the news, had rushed
in to tell her about Ned's defense at the mill. She had made no comment
whatever, but her face had flushed and her lips trembled, and she had
been very silent and quiet all that day. Altogether Abijah thought that
she was mending, and Dr. Green was of the same opinion.

Although the setting to work of the hand looms and spindles relieved the
dire pressure of want immediately about Marsden, in other parts things
were worse than ever that winter, and the military were kept busy by
the many threatening letters which were received by the mill owners from
King Lud.

One day Mr. Cartwright entered Ned's office at the mill.

"Have you heard the news, Sankey?"

"No, I have heard no news in particular."

"Horsfall has been shot."

"You don't say so!" Ned exclaimed.

"Yes, he has been threatened again and again. He was over at
Huddersfield yesterday afternoon; he started from the 'George' on
his way back at half past five. It seems that his friend Eastwood, of
Slaithwaite, knowing how often his life had been threatened, offered to
ride back with him, and though Horsfall laughed at the offer and rode
off alone, Eastwood had his horse saddled and rode after him, but
unfortunately did not overtake him.

"About six o'clock Horsfall pulled up his horse at the Warren House Inn
at Crossland Moor. There he gave a glass of liquor to two of his old
work people who happened to be outside, drank a glass of rum and water
as he sat in the saddle, and then rode off. A farmer named Parr was
riding about a hundred and fifty yards behind him. As Horsfall came
abreast of a plantation Parr noticed four men stooping behind a wall,
and then saw two puffs of smoke shoot out. Horsfall's horse started
round at the flash, and he fell forward on his saddle.

"Parr galloped up, and jumping off caught him as he was falling.
Horsfall could just say who he was and ask to be taken to his brother's
house, which was near at hand. There were lots of people in the road,
for it was market day in Huddersfield, you know, and the folks were
on their way