Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 1).djvu/349

 said Mareschal, "who called on you for interference?"

"Troth, Mareschal-Wells," answered Hobbie, "I am just come here, wi' twenty or thretty mair o' us, in my ain name and the King's—or Queen's, ca' they her? and canny Elshie's into the bargain, to keep the peace, and pay back some ill usage Ellieslaw has gi'en me. A bonnie breakfast the loons gae me the ither morning, and him at the bottom o't; and trow ye I was na ready to supper him up?—Ye needna lay your hands on your swords, gentlemen, the house is ours wi' little din; for the doors were open, and there had been ower muckle punch amang your folk; we took their swords and pistols as easily as ye wad shiel pea-cods."

Mareschal rushed out, and immediately re-entered the chapel.

"By Heaven! it is true, Sir Frederick; the house is filled with armed men, and our drunken beasts are all disarmed. Draw, and let us fight our way."