The crowd was then chased by
the soldiers and special constables, till all power of combination
was at an end. About three hundred however, were collected, and
found their way to Ardwick Green. They had been joined by others on
the route, and the Major informally reviewed his men. Never, surely,
was there such a regiment! never, surely, did any regiment go on such
an errand! Ragged many of them; ignorant all, fanatical, penniless,
they determined, in spite of all arguments, to proceed. He pointed
out that if they could be so easily scattered when they were
thousands strong, every one of them would be cut down or captured
before they were twenty miles on the road. He was answered as before
with contempt and suspicions of cowardice. A Methodist, half-
starved, grey-haired, with black rings round his eyes and a yellow
face, harangued them.
"My friends," he said, "we have been told to go back; that we are too
few to accomplish the task to which we have set ourselves. What said
the Lord unto Gideon, Judges vii.: 'The people that are with thee
are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands lest
Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved
me.
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