“Now, lads,” Harry shouted, “you will not stand that, will you?  The London apprentices were not wont to submit to be ridden rough-shod over by troops.  Has all spirit been taken out of you by the long-winded sermons of these knaves in steeple hats?”

Some of the soldiers made a rush at Harry.  His two friends closed in by him.  The two first of the soldiers who arrived were knocked down.  Others, however, seized the young men, but the apprentices crowded up, pelted the soldiers with stones, and, by sheer weight, overthrew those who had taken Harry and carried him off.  The soldiers soon came pouring out of their barracks, but fleet-footed lads had, at the commencement of the quarrel, run down into the streets, raising the shout of “clubs,” and swarms of apprentices came running up.  Led by Harry and his followers, who carried heavy sticks, they charged the militia with such fury that these, in spite of their superior arms, were driven back fighting into their barracks.  When the gates were shut Harry mounted on a stone and harangued the apprentices—­he recalled to them the ancient rights of the city, rights which the most absolute monarchs who had sat upon the throne had not ventured to infringe, that no troops should pass through the streets or be quartered there to restrict the liberties of the citizens.  “No king would have ventured so to insult the people of London; why should the crop-haired knaves at Westminster dare to do so?  If you had the spirit of your fathers you would not bear it for a moment.”

“We will not, we will not,” shouted the crowd.  “Down with the soldiers!”

At this moment a lad approached at full run to say that the cavalry were coming from St. Paul’s.  In their enthusiasm the apprentices prepared to resist, but Harry shouted to them: 

“Not here in the fields.  Scatter now and assemble in the streets.  With the chains up, we can beat them there.”

The apprentices gave a cheer, and, scattering, made their way from the fields just as the cavalry issued into the open space.  Hurrying in all directions, the apprentices carried the news, and soon the streets swarmed with their fellows.  They were quickly joined by the watermen—­in those days a numerous and powerful body.  These were armed with oars and boat-stretchers.  The chains which were fastened at night across the ends of the streets were quickly placed in position, and all was prepared to resist the attack of the troops.

CHAPTER XV.

A riot in the city.

So quickly were the preparations made that by the time the cavalry came riding back from Moor Fields they found the way barred to them.  The commander of the cavalry ordered his men to charge.  Harry, who had now taken the command of the crowd, ordered a few of the apprentices to stand before the first line of chains, so that these would not be visible until the horses were close upon them.  Behind