influence of that deity.

It was at first a little mysterious why they should have postponed
their demands--secret and silent--until almost the last moment; but
the fact is, a large section of my party were dissatisfied with the
voluntary nature of their services; they declined to work for nothing,
and having shown me that the prize--that is, the seat--was mine, they
determined to let me know it must be paid for. A large number of
my voters would do nothing; they kept their hands in their pockets
because they could not get them into mine.

This was no longer a secret, but on the eve of the election was boldly
put forward as a demand, and I was plainly told that L500 distributed
in small sums would make my election sure.

As, however, in no circumstances would I stoop to their offer, this
demand did not in the least influence me--I never wavered in my
resolution, and refused to give a farthing. Furthermore, showing the
web in which they sought to entangle me, the same voice that suggested
the L500 also informed me that I was closely watched by a couple of
detectives set on by the other side.

I was well aware that the "other side" had given five-pound notes for
votes, but I could neither follow the example nor use the information,
as it was told me "in the strictest confidence."

I was therefore powerless, and felt we were drifting asunder more
and more. At last came the polling day, and a happy relief from an
unpleasant situation it certainly was.

A fine bright morning ushered in an exciting day. There was a great
inrush of voters at the polling-booth, friendly votes, if I may call
them so--votes, I mean to say, of honest supporters; these were my
acquaintances made during my sojourn at Barnstaple; others came, a few
for Cave as well as myself. Cave did not seem to enjoy the popularity
that I had achieved. Still, he got a few votes.

Now came an exciting scene. About midday, the working man's dinner
hour, the tide began to turn, for the whole body of _bribed_ voters
were released from work. My majority quickly dwindled, and at length
disappeared, until I was in a very hopeless minority. Everywhere it
was "Stukely for ever!" Some cried, "Stukely and free beer!" Stukely,
who till now had hardly been anybody, and had not talked himself
hoarse in their interests as I had, was the great object of their
admiration and their hopes.

The consequence of this sudden development of Stukely's popularity
was that Cave un