rivalry between the two masters—Burley and Sykes—soon began to infect all their hands; so that the "letting out" every night was a turbulent scene of ill words, too often ending in blows. And it was not many weeks before a spirit of hatred and quarrelling entered every cottage, and in some cases separated friends and families.
At this point Aske's real motive was manifested. One morning a large body of men were observed at work upon the stream. They were engaged in building a lock. Burley was naturally very indignant. Sykes, in his insolent way, said "their machinery would at times need more water than the ordinary run would afford; and in such circumstances they would be obliged to lock the water for a supply."
"That will allow you at any time to shut off my supply of water, and so virtually to stop my mill. It is an outrage! You have no right to lock a mill-stream," said Burley, passionately, "and I will appeal to the law to protect me."
"And if the law orders me to remove the lock I will do it. Not till," answered Sykes, turning on his heel indifferently.
But going to law was a remedy as bad as the disease, and Burley began to perceive that it
