talk and the jest of the whole
county. It will do harm, too, to the working-classes. Why, you'll have
all the idle vagabonds there. Some light-fingered and light-heeled
poacher will win your sovereign--you'll be the laughing-stock of all the
country round, and so shall I too. And such a thing, instead of
encouraging patient industry and sobriety, will be just the means of
giving heart to the idlers and the profligates. It must not be, Walter,
my boy."

His son did not reply for some time; at last he said, "I don't see how I
can back out of it; I've pledged my word. I'm sorry for it, and I'm
willing to take all the shame and blame to myself, and all the ridicule,
if I'm beaten. You may depend upon it I won't be caught in this way
again, but I must go through with it now."

"Nonsense," said his father; "I don't see that at all."

"Perhaps not, father," replied his son; "but I can't go back from what
I've said." These last words were uttered with a dogged determination
of tone and manner which showed that Walter had made up his mind, and
was not to be turned from his purpose.

Like his father, he had a considerable share of obstinacy in his
disposition, and Mr Huntingdon could call to mind several occasions on
which a battle with his favourite son had ended in the boy's getting his
own way. And so, thinking further remonstrance useless, at any rate for
the present, he let the matter drop, hoping, as he said afterwards to
his sister, that Walter would come to his senses on the matter when he
had had time to think the subject over coolly. But he was mistaken in
this hope. Much as Walter was annoyed at having been thus taken at his
word, which he had given half in jest, he nevertheless considered that
he was pledged to abide by what had been advertised in his name and with
his sanction. So on the day appointed there was a considerable
gathering of working-men, and also of women and children, on Marley
Heath, and this gathering swelled into a crowd as the time of trial
approached.

Gregson and Saunders--who enjoyed the whole thing amazingly, and none
the less because, as they had expressed it to each other as they came
along, "Young Huntingdon would be none the worse fellow for getting a
little of the shine and brag taken out of him"--were on the spot in good
time, with several like-minded companions. These all gathered round
Walter as he came on to the ground, and wished him good success,
assuring him that