In vain did the soldiers scour the country. The Luddites on their
retreat had scattered to their villages, the main body returning to
Huddersfield and appearing at their work as usual in the morning.
Large rewards were offered for information which would lead to the
apprehension of any concerned in the attack, but these, as well as
the notices offering two thousand pounds for the apprehension of
the murderers of Mr. Horsfall, met with no responses. Scores of
men must have known who were concerned in these affairs, but either
fidelity to the cause or fear of the consequences of treachery kept
them silent.
Mr. Cartwright was anxious to offer a handsome reward to Mary
Powlett for the service she had rendered him, but Ned told him that
he was sure she would not accept anything. Mr. Cartwright, however,
insisting on the point, Ned saw Mary and sounded her upon the
subject. She was indignant at the idea.
"No, Master Ned," she said, "I would not take money, not ever so.
I came down to tell you because I thought it wicked and wrong of
the men to destroy the mill, and because they would no doubt have
murdered Mr. Cartwright and the people there; but I would not
take money for doing it. Even if nobody ever got to know of it, it
would always seem to me as if I had sold the hands, and they have
suffered enough, God knows."
"I don't think Mr. Cartwright thought of offering you money.
Pages:
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354