Through The Fray: A Tale Of The Luddite Riots

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In this story I have left the historical battle-fields, across so many of which I have taken you, and have endeavoured to show that there are peaceful battles to be fought and victories to be won every jot as arduous and as difficult as those contested under arms. In Facing Death my hero won such a battle. He had to fight against external circumstances, and step by step, by perseverance, pluck, and determination, made his way in life. In the present tale my hero's enemy was within, and although his victory was at last achieved the victor was well-nigh worsted in the fray. We have all such battles to fight, dear lads; may we all come unscathed and victorious through the fray!

Yours sincerely,

G. A. HENTY.

THROUGH THE FRAY.

CHAPTER I.

A FISHING EXPEDITION.

T has just struck one, and the boys are streaming out from the school-room of Mr. Ha-thorn's academy in the little town of Marsden in Yorkshire. Their appearance would create some astonishment in the minds of lads of the present generation, for it was the year 1807, and their attire differed somewhat materially from that now worn. They were for the most part dressed in breeches tight at the knee, and buttoning up outside the close-fitting jacket nearly under the arms, so that they seemed almost devoid of waist. At the present moment they were bare-headed; but when they went beyond the precincts of the school they wore stiff caps, flat and very large at the top, and with far-projecting peaks.

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