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 the grate to sic a clanjamfrie?" said the old dame, scoffingly.

"Force our way wi' the king's keys, and break the neck of every living soul we find in the house, if ye dinna give it ower forthwith!" menaced Hobbie.

"Threatened folks live lang," said the hag, in the same tone of irony; "there's the iron grate,—try your skill on't, lads—it has kept out as gude men as you or now."

So saying, she laughed, and withdrew from the aperture through which she had held the parley.

The besiegers now held a serious consultation. The immense thickness of the walls, and the small size of the windows, might, for a time, have even resisted cannon-shot. The entrance was secured, first, by a strong grated door, composed entirely of hammered iron, of such ponderous strength as seemed calculated to resist any force that could be brought against it. "Pinches or forehammers will never pick