gs
by this time, too, had learned to pitch his voice for an out-of-door
multitude. He preached his sermon, his old sermon, about the Rights
of Labour and the Salt of the Earth, the Tyranny of Capital and
the Majesty of the Workmen, with an enthusiasm that made him for
the moment supremely happy. He was certainly the hero of the tour
in Percycross, and he allowed himself to believe,--just for that
hour,--that he was about to become the hero of a new doctrine
throughout England. He spoke for over half an hour, while poor
Griffenbottom, seated in a chair that had been brought to him, was
suffering almost the pains of hell. During this speech Sir Thomas,
who had also suffered greatly, but had at first endeavoured to
conceal that he was suffering, discovered the extent of his
misfortune, and allowed himself to be taken out from the hustings
to his inn. There was an effort made to induce Mr. Griffenbottom
to retire at the same time; but Mr. Griffenbottom, not quite
understanding the extent of his colleague's misfortune, and thinking
that it became him to remain and to endure, was obdurate, and would
not be moved. He did not care for stones or threats,--did not care
even for the gout. That was his place till after the show of hands,
and there he would remain. The populace, seeing this commotion on
the hustings, began to fear that there was an intention to stop the
oratory of their popular candidate, and called loudly upon Moggs to
go on. Moggs did go on,--and was happy.

At last there came the show of hands. It was declared to be in
favour of Moggs and Westmacott. That it was very much in favour of
Moggs,--in favour of Moggs by five to one, there was no doubt. Among
the other candidates there was not perhaps much to choose. A poll
was, of course, demanded for the two Conservatives; and then the
mayor, complimenting the people on their good behaviour,--in spite
of poor Sir Thomas's broken arm,--begged them to go away. That was
all very well. Of course they would go away; but not till they had
driven their enemies from the field. In half a minute the dividing
rail,--the rail that had divided the blue from the yellow,--was down,
and all those who had dared to show themselves there as supporters
of Griffenbottom and Underwood were driven ignominiously from the
market-place. They fled at all corners, and in a few seconds not a
streak of blue ribbon was to be seen in the square. "They'll elect
that fellow Moggs to-morrow," said Mr