Jones had replied with insolent defiance.

If any bailiff, or auctioneer, or such people came to sell his hay he would kill him, or them.
So said Jones, and summoned his supporters, many of whom owed tithe, and none of whom wished to pay it, to do battle in his cause.

For his part, Mr.Granger retained an auctioneer of undoubted courage who was to arrive on this very afternoon, supported by six policemen, and carry out the sale.

Beatrice felt nervous about the whole thing, but Elizabeth was very determined, and the old clergyman was now bombastic and now despondent.

The auctioneer arrived duly by the one o'clock train.