Desire had thrown open her window at the
sound of the music, and, carried away with excitement, as Perez looked
up and bowed, she waved her handkerchief to him. Yes, Desire Edwards
actually waved her handkerchief to the captain of the mob. In the
shining winter night her act was plainly seen by the passing men, and
her parents and brother, who having first blown out the candle, were
looking out from the lower windows, were astonished beyond measure to
hear the ringing cheer which the passing throng sent up. Then Desire
cried a little and went to bed feeling very reckless.
Squire Edwards had clearly been mistaken in thinking that the
proclamation had made an end of the rebellion. Its first effect had
been rather intimidating, no doubt, but upon reflection the insurgents
found that they were more mad than scared. It was indeed just
opposition enough to exasperate those who were fully committed and
stimulate to more vigorous demonstrations; and an express from Shays
having summoned a Berkshire contingent to join in a big military
demonstration at Worcester, fifty armed men under Abner marched from
Stockbridge Thanksgiving Day amid an excitement scarcely equalled
since the day when Jahleel Woodbridge's minute men had left for
Bennington.
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