"
Mr. Cartwright's house was about a mile from the mill. When they
arrived there it was still closed and quiet, and it was evident that
no alarm had been excited. Mr. Cartwright's knocking soon roused
the servants, and a few minutes later Amy hurried down.
"What is it, papa? What brings you back so early? it is only seven
o'clock now. How do you do, Mr. Sankey? Why, papa, how dirty and
black you both look! What have you been doing? And, oh, papa! you
have got blood on your hands!"
"It is not my own, my dear, and you need not be frightened. The
attack on the mill has come at last and we have given the Luddites
a handsome thrashing. The danger is all over now, for I do not think
the mill is ever likely to be attacked again. But I will tell you
all about it presently; run and get breakfast ready as soon as you
can, for we are as hungry as hunters, I can tell you. We will go
and have a wash, and will be ready in ten minutes."
"We can't be ready in ten minutes, papa, for the fires are not
lighted yet, but we will be as quick as we can; and do please make
haste and come and tell me all about this dreadful business."
In half an hour the party were seated at breakfast. Amy had already
been told the incidents of the fight, and trembled as she heard
how nearly the rioters had burst their way into the mill, and was
deeply grateful to Ned for the timely warning which had frustrated
the plans of the rioters.
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