The strike took place on a Saturday morning, when suddenly, and
without notice, all the hands turned out. Mr. Walter had only a
few hours' notice of it, but he had already resolved upon his
course. He collected apprentices from half a dozen different
quarters, and a few inferior workmen, who were glad to obtain
employment on any terms. He himself stript to his shirt-sleeves,
and went to work with the rest; and for the next six-and-thirty
hours he was incessantly employed at case and at press. On the
Monday morning, the conspirators, who had assembled to triumph
over his ruin, to their inexpressible amazement saw The Times
issue from the publishing office at the usual hour, affording a
memorable example of what one man's resolute energy may
accomplish in a moment of difficulty.
The journal continued to appear with regularity, though the
printers employed at the office lived in a state of daily peril.
The conspirators, finding themselves baffled, resolved upon
trying another game. They contrived to have two of the men
employed by Walter as compositors apprehended as deserters from
the Royal Navy. The men were taken before the magistrate; but
the charge was only sustained by the testimony of clumsy,
perjured witnesses, and fell to the ground. The turn-outs next
proceeded to assault the new hands, when Mr. Walter resolved to
throw around them the protection of the law.
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