party selected for the service of this day
ought rather to have been increased, inasmuch as the bailiff in question
had rendered himself so justly obnoxious to the people, that it
was fatuity itself to suppose that, smarting as they were under the
scoundrel's wanton and obscene insults, it was possible they would
suffer him to escape. The party had, consequently, no sooner set out,
than the horns once more began to blow, the bells to ring, and the whole
country around to stir into tumult and action. The same arms as we haye
already mentioned were in requisition, with some old pike-handles, and
an occasional rusty pike or two that may have seen service in '98.

On the previous day the people had resolved to maintain an armed
neutrality, and to observe, unless attacked, the spirit of passive
resistance in its strictest sense. Now, however, the man who, confiding
in and abusing the protection and authority of the Court of Chancery,
had so grossly insulted them by language that was both indecent and
unchristian; who had not only attacked their want of morals, but
ridiculed their religion;--this person, we say, was within their grasp,
and let what might be the result, they were determined, to a man, "_to
have the process-server or blood_" for such was the expression. The
people now shouted, and had evidently made up their minds, not only to
secure the process-server, but to attack the police themselves, at any
risk. Such was the apprehension of this, that their officer deemed it
necessary to halt his party, and order them to prime and load, which
they did. Whilst they halted, so did the assailants; but, upon resuming
their march to the house of the tithe-defaulter, the crowds, who were
every moment increasing in number and in fury, resumed their march also,
gradually closing upon and coming nearly into contact with them. Indeed,
they were now so close, that the object of all this preparation, and
concert, and motion, could be distinctly ascertained from their language
and demeanor. Ever and anon there arose from them, extending far and
wide over the country, one general cry and exclamation, accompanied by
menacing gestures and blazing eyes:--

"The process-server or Blood!--Butler or blood!"

This unfortunate individual, having put a copy of the process under the
door, took his place in the centre of the police, who turned to the left
of the house for the purpose of retreating; and it is to be deplored
that the retreat in