But the insurgents had no siege train for such a fortress, and the
sight of two or three fowling-pieces somewhat damped their courage.
They therefore turned off, wrecked the brewer's house, and forced the
"Angel" tap, which was separated from the main building. The spirit-
casks were broached, and men turned the gin and brandy taps into
their mouths without waiting for glasses. Many of them, especially
those who first entered, were at once overcome and dropped, lying
about in the room and in the gutter perfectly insensible. The
remainder, who could only drink what was left, became more and more
riotous, and a general sack of all purple property was imminent. Mr.
Allen was at the "Cross Keys," but George was at home, and as he
watched the scene he saw the mob take a kind of lurch and sway along
the street which led to Mr. Broad's. He thought he heard Mr. Broad's
name, and in an instant he had buttoned-up his coat, taken the
heaviest stick he could find, and was off. He had the greatest
difficulty in forcing his way, and he did not reach the front of the
crowd till it was opposite Mr. Broad's and the destruction of the
windows had begun. He leaped over the iron railing, and presented
himself at the gate with the orange rosette on his coat and the stick
in his right hand.
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