He was within walls, it is true; but against the fury of hundreds he had only four of his own workmen and five soldiers to assist him.

These ten men, however, managed to keep up such a vigorous and well-directed fire of musketry that they defeated all the desperate attempts of the multitude outside to break down the doors, and force a way into the mill; and, after a conflict of twenty minutes, during which two of the assailants were killed and several wounded, they withdrew in confusion, leaving Mr.Cartwright master of the field, but so dizzy and exhausted, now the peril was past, that he forgot the nature of his defences, and injured his leg rather seriously by one of the spiked rollers, in attempting to go up his own staircase.

His dwelling was near the factory.

Some of the rioters vowed that, if he did not give in, they would leave this, and go to his house, and murder his wife and children.

This was a terrible threat, for he had been obliged to leave his family with only one or two soldiers to defend them.