number of roughs had succeeded in procuring tickets, showing that some
professedly respectable men had been in collusion with them. Although the
rioters inside were in a minority, they were not daunted, and being
determined that the play should not go on, commenced stamping and yelling
so, that Macready's voice from the outset was completely drowned.

The police in disguise had mingled all day with the rioters, and
ascertained what the mode of action inside the house was to be. At a
certain point in the play, a signal was to be given, on seeing which the
entire body was to make a rush for the stage and seize Macready. The Chief
of Police arranged his plans accordingly, and imparted them to the force
under him. He therefore made no effort to stop the noise, but waited for
the expected signal. At length it was given, and the entire body of
rioters rose with a yell and sprang forward. But at that moment, the chief
gave _his_ signal, which was lifting his hat from his head. Every eye
of those determined policemen had been intently watching it, and as it now
rose, they sprang with a single bound upon the astonished rowdies, and
before they could recover from their surprise, most of them were outside
of the building, while the ringleaders were kept back and caged inside.

The play now went on, but it was a spiritless affair. Every ear was turned
to hear the muffled roar of the voices outside, which every moment
increased in power as the mighty multitude kept swelling in numbers.

The afterpiece was omitted, and Macready escaping through a private door,
hastened to his hotel. It seemed for a time that the building would be
torn down; but at length, a regiment of the National Guard, preceded by a
body of cavalry, was seen marching steadily up Broadway. The crowd parted
as it advanced, and as it turned into Eighth Street, the sharp word of
command, "right wheel," rang out distinct and clear over the uproar. The