concourse wore in his hat a blue cockade.

When the bridge was clear, which was not till nearly two hours had
elapsed, the widow inquired of an old man what was the meaning of the
great assemblage.

"Why, haven't you heard?" he returned. "This is the day Lord George
Gordon presents the petition against the Catholics, and his lordship has
declared he won't present it to the House of Commons at all unless it is
attended to the door by forty thousand good men and true, at least.
There's a crowd for you!"

"A crowd, indeed!" said Barnaby. "Do you hear that, mother? That's a
brave crowd he talks of. Come!"

"Not to join it!" cried his mother. "You don't know what mischief they
may do, or where they may lead you. Dear Barnaby, for my sake----"

"For your sake!" he answered. "It _is_ for your sake, mother. Here's a
brave crowd! Come--or wait till I come back! Yes, yes, wait here!"

A stranger gave Barnaby a blue cockade and bade him wear it, and while
he was still fixing it in his hat Lord Gordon and his secretary,
Gashford, passed, and then turned back.

"You lag behind, friend, and are late," said Lord George. "It's past ten
now. Didn't you know the hour of assemblage was ten o'clock?"

Barnaby shook his head, and looked vacantly from one to the other.