Nicholas was departing to the indulgence of his favourite pastime, when
a loud hubbub was heard without, and presently a fellow was pushed in by
the pressure of the crowd upon his shoulders; but they drew back, on
finding the immediate presence of their chief.

This man was accounted the most notorious idler in the neighbourhood,
hight "Barnulf with the nose." His eyes looked red and swollen, and his
senses had become muddled and obtuse with long steeping. Silence was
immediately enforced, while the assembly anxiously awaited the
interrogation of this intolerable coveter of barley-drink.

"Art thou again at thy freaks?" said the Thane, angrily: "thou hast soon
forgotten the stocks and the whipping-post on Easter-day. It were well
that Nicholas should refresh thy memory in this matter."

At this dreaded name the poor wretch fell on his face.

"Please ye, my lord," said he, hardly raising his head from the floor,
"I am here but for a witness beliken. I am breeding of no broil, save
an' my gossip o' yesternight drew me into a tussle with old Split-Feet
and his company."

He groaned, but not without considerable effort, and his face puckered
in a heap at the recollection.

"What!--the foul fiend helped thee to thy liquor, I trow?" said Gamel,
hastily. "Think not to foist thy fooleries upon me. Should I find thee
with a lie on thy tongue, the hide were as well off thy shoulders. To
thy speech--quick, what sawest thou?"