In an instant the conflict had begun. The
purple banners were the first objects of attack, and disappeared
every one of them, in less than five minutes, underfoot. Seen from
one of the upper storeys of the houses, the square looked like a
great pot full of boiling confusion. By degrees the wearers of
purple were driven hard against the "Angel" yard-gates, which opened
to receive them; some who were not successful in securing admittance
escaping, with bloody heads, down the side lane, and so out across
the fields. There was great difficulty in shutting the gates again;
but the "Angel" hostlers appeared on the scene with pitchforks and
other weapons, which caused an ebb of the tide for a moment. They
managed in the nick of time to swing the gates together, and the
heavy wooden bar was thrown across them. The orange party was now
triumphant, but very unhappy, because it was able to do no further
mischief. Suddenly Bushel was seen again at the window, and, as it
was afterwards averred, made some insulting gesture. A stone was the
prompt response, and in five minutes there was not a whole pane of
glass left in the front of the building. "Have old Bushel out!
Smoke 'em out!" was shouted, and a rush followed towards the door.
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