clerk's, and we sent for the town-officers, and then adjourned to
the council-chamber to wait the issue of what might betide.

In my absence, Mrs Pawkie rose out of her bed, and by some wonderful
instinct collecting all the bairns, went with them to the minister's
house, as to a place of refuge and sanctuary.

Shortly after we had been in the council-room, I opened the window
and looked out, but all was still; the town was lying in the
defencelessness of sleep, and nothing was heard but the clicking of
the town-clock in the steeple over our heads. By and by, however, a
sough and pattering of feet was heard approaching; and shortly
after, in looking out, we saw the pressgang, headed by their
officers, with cutlasses by their side, and great club-sticks in
their hands. They said nothing; but the sound of their feet on the
silent stones of the causey, was as the noise of a dreadful engine.
They passed, and went on; and all that were with me in the council
stood at the windows and listened. In the course of a minute or two
after, two lassies, with a callan, that had been out, came flying
and wailing, giving the alarm to the town. Then we heard the
driving of the bludgeons on the doors, and the outcries of terrified
women; and presently after we saw the poor chased sailors running in
their shirts, with their clothes in their hands, as if they had been
felons and blackguards caught in guilt, and flying from the hands of
justice.

The town was awakened with the din as with the cry of fire; and
lights came starting forward, as it were, to the windows. The women
were out with lamentations and vows of vengeance. I was in a state
of horror unspeakable. Then came some three or four of the