Page:Tale of the Rebellion of 1745, or, The broken heart (1).pdf/4

 nature followed. The song succeeded the toast, and James Dawson sang the following, which seemed to be the composition of the day:—

But while he yet sang, and as he completed but the first verse, two constables and three soldiers burst into the room, and denounced them as traitors and as their prisoners.

“Down with them!” exclaimed James Dawson springing forward, and snatching down a sword which was hanging over the fire-place. The students vigorously resisted the attempt to make them prisoners, and several of them, with James, escaped.

He concealed himself for a short time, when, his horse being brought, he took the road towards Manchester, in order to join the Pretender. It was about midnight, on the 29th, when he reached the town which is now the emporium of the manufacturing world. On proceeding down Market street, he perceived a confused crowd, some uttering threats, and others with consternation expressed on their countenances; and, in the midst of the multitude, was Sergeant Dickson, a young woman, and a drummer boy, beating up for recruit. The white cockade streaming from the hat of the Sergeant; the people vented their indignation against him, but no: man durst seize him, for he turned round and found with a blunderbust in his hand, facing the crowd on all sides, and threatening to