It was' said that the Irish whom Feversham had let loose were marching on London and massacring every man, woman, and child on the road.

At one in the morning the drums of the militia beat to arms.

Everywhere terrified women were weeping and wringing their hands, while their fathers and husbands were equipping themselves for fight.

Before two the capital wore a face of stern preparedness which might well have daunted a real enemy, if such an enemy had been approaching.

Candles were blazing at all the windows.