But
we're not foightin' men!'
'You needn't tell me that!' said the Squire, exasperated. 'The look
of you's enough. So you refuse to barricade those gates?'
'Well, we do, Squoire,' said Perley, in a tone of forced
cheerfulness.
'Yes, we do,' said Dodge slowly, copying the manner of his leader.
All this time Gregson had been standing a little apart from the
rest. His face showed traces of recent drinking, his hands wandered
restlessly from his coat-collar to his pockets, his clothes were
shabby and torn. But when the Squire looked round him, as though
invoking some one or something to aid him against these deserters,
Gregson came forward.
'If you want any help, Mr. Mannering, I'm your man. I suppose these
fellows'll lend a hand with carrying these things up to the gates.
They'll not risk their precious skins much by doing that!'
Perley and Dodge replied with alacrity that so far they would gladly
oblige the Squire, and they began to shoulder the hurdles.
It was at that moment that the Squire caught the eye of the
black-coated man, who had been observing the whole proceedings from
about ten yards off.
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