"
Here there was neither quiet nor resignation, but fiery talk and
stern determination; it was a settled thing here that the machines
were responsible for the bad times. The fact that such times
prevailed over the whole country in no way affected their opinion.
It was not for them to deny that there was a war, that food was
dear, and taxation heavy. These things might be; but the effect of
the machinery came straight home to them, and they were convinced
that if they did but hold together and wreck the machines prosperity
would return to Varley.
The organization for resistance was extensive. There were branches
in every village in West Yorkshire, Lancashire, Nottingham, and
Derby--all acting with a common purpose. The members were bound
by terrible oaths upon joining the society to be true to its objects,
to abstain on pain of death from any word which might betray its
secrets, and to carry into execution its orders, even if these
should involve the slaying of a near relation proved to have turned
traitor to the society.
Hitherto no very marked success had attended its doings. There
had been isolated riots in many places; mills had been burned, and
machinery broken. But the members looked forward to better things.
So far their only successes had been obtained by threats rather
than deeds, for many manufacturers had been deterred from adopting
the new machinery by the receipt of threatening letters signed "King
Lud," saying that their factories would be burned and themselves
shot should they venture upon altering their machinery.
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