As
I did so I inquired of one or two fishers what was the trouble.
They told me, as I had guessed, that they expected an attack on the
village by the mill-hands and river-drivers of Viking.
The situation was critical. I could foresee a catastrophe which would for
ever unsettle the two towns, and give the valley an unenviable
reputation. I was certain that, if Roscoe or Mr. Devlin were present, a
prohibitive influence could be brought to bear; that some one of strong
will could stand, as it were, in the gap between them, and prevent a
pitched battle, and, possibly, bloodshed. I was sure that at Viking the
river-drivers had laid their plans so secretly that the news of them
would scarcely reach the ears of the manager of the mill, and that,
therefore, his influence, as Mr. Devlin's, would not be available.
Remained only myself--as I first thought. I was unknown to a great number
of the men of both villages, and familiar with but very few--chiefly
those with whom I had a gossiping acquaintance. Yet, somehow, I felt that
if I could but get a half-dozen men to take a firm stand with me, I might
hold the rioters in check.
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