Page:Jeanie Deans and the lily of St. Leonard's.pdf/12

12 concerning the situation of the unfortunate young woman. The person he sought, however, being absent from home, he determined to proceed homewards, and to defer his further inquiries till next dayday. [sic]

Butler had scarcely cleared the city walls, and entered the suburb named Portsburgh, when he heard the sound of a drum, and to his great surprise met a number of persons moving rapidly towards the town, with the drummer in front beating to arms. While he considered how he should avoid the party, they came full on him, stopped him, and inquired if he was a clergyman. Butler answered in the affirmative; on which they told him in a peremptory manner, that he must go along with themthem. [sic] He begged to know for what purpose; but the only reply to his question was that he should know in all good time, that no injury was intended him, and that go he must, either by force or fair means. Resistance and remonstrance were alike in vain, and he was hurried on in front of the rioters, who passed at a quick pace through the Grassmarket, and thence down the street named the Cowgate, the mob of the city every where rising at the sound of the drum and joining them. Here they divided themselves, so as to ascend with more speed the various narrow lanes which lead up from the Cowgate, and still beating to arms as they went, and calling on all true Scotmen to join them, they marched boldly up the High Street, shouting Porteous! Porteous! To the Tolbooth! On approaching the guardhouse, the sentinel presented his piece; but he was instantly knocked down by a person in female disguise, who had from the first taken an active share in the proceedings, and who