_Tom Hickathrift and the Tinker conquered and overcame three thousand
rebellious subjects._
In and about the Isle of Ely, many disaffected persons, to the number
of ten thousand and upwards drew themselves up in a body, presuming to
contend for their pretended ancient Rights and Liberties, insomuch that
the Gentry and civil Magistrates of the Country was in great danger;
at which time the Sheriff, by night, privately got into the house of
Thomas Hickathrift, as a secure place of refuge, in so eminent a time
of danger: where before Thomas Hickathrift, he laid open the villainous
intent of this headstrong giddy-brained multitude, Mr. Sheriff, quoth
Tom, what service my brother, meaning the Tinker, and I can perform,
shall not be wanting. This said, in the morning by day-break, with
trusty clubs they both went forth, desiring the Sheriff to be their
guide, in conducting them to the place of the rebels’ rendezvous,
when they came there Tom and the Tinker marched up to the head of
the multitude, and demanded of them the reason why they disturbed
the Government? To which they answered with a loud cry, Our will’s
our law; and by that alone will we be governed. Nay quoth Tom if it
be so, these trusty clubs are our weapons, and by them you shall be
chastised. Which words were no sooner out of his mouth but the Tinker
and he put themselves both together in the midst of the throng and with
their clubs beat the multitude down, trampling them under their feet
every blow which they struck laid twenty or thirty sprawling before
them. Nay, remarkable it was, the Tinker struck a tall man just upon
the nape of the neck, with that force that his head flew off, and was
carried violently fourteen foot from him, where it knockt down one of
their chief ringleaders; Tom on the other hand still pressing forward,
till by an unfortunate blow he broke his club; yet he was not in the
least dismay’d; for he presently seized upon a lusty stout rawbon’d
miller, and made use of him for a weapon, till at length they clear’d
the field; so that there was not one found that dare lift up a hand
against them, having run into holes and corners to hide themselves
shortly after some of their heads were taken and made public examples
of justice, the rest being pardoned at the humble request of Thomas
Hickathrift and the Tinker.
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