By three o'clock it was known that up to
eleven parties were neck and neck, and the excitement grew more and
more intense. Every public-house in Cowfold was free, and soon after
dinner-time there was not a single person in the place who was ever
drunk before who had not found it necessary to get drunk then in
order to support the strain on his nerves. Four o'clock came, and
the polling-booth was shut; the numbers were made up, and the two
committees now anxiously awaited the news from the outlying
districts. The general impression seemed to be that the popular
candidate would win by about a dozen, and by eight o'clock a crowd
had assembled before the "Cross Keys" to give due welcome to the
desired announcement. Ten o'clock came, and the mob began to get
impatient and unruly. Then there was a stir and a roar, and the
whole assemblage rushed off to the "Angel," in the square. On the
balcony was a huge placard, with the purple hero at the top--1837--
and below was the orange favourite, in small and ignominious figures-
-1831. Bushel stood at the open window waving his hat, apparently
half frantic. Just underneath him was a smaller crowd of the purple
faction, who were cheering and bawling with all their might as the
enemy came in sight.
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