With Marlborough to Malplaquet: A Story of the Reign of Queen Anne

ench home, and his son, afterwards famous as the Old Pretender, had been acknowledged as the new English king by Louis XIV of France, to the joy of the many Jac

test to Philip and Charles, the French and Austrian claimants. The rest of Europe was naturally in alarm when the already too-powerful Louis actually placed his grandson on the Spanish throne. Practically the step amounted on the part of France to an annexation of the once predominant kingdom of Spain with all its appanages. And when the Grand

am lived Louis was sure of a vigorous and powerful antagonist. And William was preparing, in both his English and his Dutch dominions, for yet another conflict. War was indeed imminent; the sole question being when it would actually break out, and who

re men. So greatly was his business increasing, that the proprietor of the little c

o be, my lad?" he one

eply, the boy regarding his father

eorge had been by the question. "It is the most detestable of all trades, that of sol

England had made him more or less acquainted. Fairburn was not to be charmed, and with a deep sigh the boy gave up the contest. He was still more upset when his father proce

s on little tickets. But George had a large fund of common sense and a deep respect for his father

e spot, and George observed the look of surprise on their faces when they saw him. The father gave no sign of recognition; Matthew looked uncomfortable and nodded in a shamefaced kind of way. George flushed, and for a moment felt a bitter anger surge within him; then he call

re a little north of Spurn, and had trudged the five and twenty miles to Hull, the rising port on the east coast. Then, after appointing an agent and starting what seemed likely to grow into a big business, he had tramped the hundred and twenty miles or more that separated him from Newcastle and his home, cutting a q

off, and almost every week hands were discharged. Fairburn was secretly a little afra

vourite steed Sorrel, at Hampton Court, and was lying in a precarious state, his collar-bone broken. A wee

g flag there, proclaimed a holiday on full pay, and sent for a copious supply of ale. His son Matthew, who had not gone b

tingly, "Whiggery will soon be dead, and England will be ruled by its right

to the neighbouring villages. The jubilant colliery owner and his merry me

n charge in the absence of his father, inq

e ancient replied, "beer an

word, Saunders, that's all. I mislike

" the overlooker commented, "we are like enou

ion to the pitmen when the

" he said, "but take no notice

airburn colliers turned the corner of the lane when they were met by an excited mob car

hed forward and made a grab at the offending canvas. He was forestalled, however, a man of the opposing party deftly tripping him up an

on around the big banner. Even old Saunders, the overlooker, caught one of the opposition gang by the collar, crying,

Eh, there'll happen be ma

ng had been torn from its supporting poles, amid mingled cheers and execrations. The canvas itself was pulled hither and thither by the opposing gangs, each striving to retain possession of it. Bit b

t direction. Under old Saunders the Fairburn men disputed every yard of the way, but they were entirely outnumbered, and were

somewhere behind him. He stopped and listened, the yells growing louder and fiercer every instant. Then he darted back towards the pit, reac

for bolts, amid shouts from his men of "The young gaffer! We'll all stick to him!" And in spite of his youth, George was at once installed as captain of the little F

ty glance round the dimly-lit shed. Darkness was coming on apace e

and two or three hayforks belonging to the stables. These were served out, and the

he man of the weapon, the old overlooker approving with a "

kers in a trice turned their attention to the smaller buildings dotted here and there about the pit's mouth. One by one these sh

, "unless the scoundrels turn their att

d their teeth in rage

back to the big shed, one of them, evident

e. "Keep from the door, or I'll pu

e had so unceremoniously knocked from his perch and so merrily b

the weapon could descend a report rang out in the twilight, and with a scream t

red," remarked ol

h a small cask of ale on his shoulder, a diversion was caused. The fight was transferred to the cir

is our chance! Let them get fully occupied and we have them. Let th

hed prepared to sally forth, old Saunders whispering to his

edly towards the large shed. Matthew had in reality just heard of the fray, and had at once run up to do what he could to stop it. But George Fairburn did not know this.

swooped down upon the foe, and in an instant a score of heads were broken, the luckless owners flung in all directions around the

ised. In the darkening they imagined themselves surrounded by a strong reinforcement of the Fairburn party, and at once there was

t the very first he had dashed to the spot where Mat

urn, "to set on your

tthew began in amazement

d George, "and we will see

full swing. Matthew was no coward, and once in for warm work, he played his part manfully. At it the two boys went, each hitting hard, and both coming in for a considerable share of pummelling. For a time

tthew opened his mouth again to make an explanation, but as often

avily punished. They had not been so ill-matched as one might at first sight have suspected. George was the stronger and harder fellow, but Matthew had the advantage in the matter of height, and more pa

from opposite quarters, two horsemen dashed up