"I know, father, but all that was meant in my case was that I would
say nothing which would cause injury to those to whom I promised;
and it will do them no injury whatever by telling you in confidence.
Besides, it is probable you may learn about it in some other way;
because, unfortunately, I broke the other fellow's leg very badly,
and there is no saying what may come of it, so I think you ought
to know all the circumstances."

"Very well, Ned," his father said quietly; "this seems to be a
serious business. Go on, my boy."

Ned related the whole circumstances, his father saying no word
until he had finished.

"You have been in no way to blame in the matter, nor could you have
acted otherwise. The breaking of the boy's leg is unfortunate, but
it was a pure accident, and even the boy's friends did not blame
you in the matter. As to the illegal drilling, that is no new thing;
it has been known to be going on for many months, and, indeed, in
some places for years. The authorities take but little notice of
it. An outbreak of these poor fellows would, indeed, constitute a
considerable local danger. Mills might be burned down, and possibly
some obnoxious masters killed, but a few troops of dragoons, or
half a regiment of light infantry, would scatter them like chaff.

"The Irish rebellion thirteen years ago was a vastly more formidable
affair. There it may be said that the whole country was in arms,
and the element of religious fanaticism came into play; but in
spite of that the resistance which they opposed to the troops was