later on was covered with a double line of houses and shops, but was now a
narrow structure. Over the gateway across the river, upon pikes, were a
number of heads and human limbs. The lady shuddered as she looked up.

"It is an ugly sight," the smith said, "and I can see no warrant for such
exposure of the dead. There are the heads of Wallace, of three of Robert
Bruce's brothers, and of many other valiant Scotsmen who fought against the
king's grandfather some twenty years back. But after all they fought for
their country, just as Harold and our ancestors against the Normans under
William, and I think it a foul shame that men who have done no other harm
should be beheaded, still less that their heads and limbs should be stuck
up there gibbering at all passers-by. There are over a score of them, and
every fresh trouble adds to their number; but pardon me," he said suddenly
as a sob from the figure by his side called his attention from the heads on
the top of the gateway, "I am rough and heedless in speech, as my sister
Madge does often tell me, and it may well be that I have said something
which wounded you."

"You meant no ill," the lady replied; "it was my own thoughts and troubles
which drew tears from me; say not more about it, I pray you.

They passed under the gateway, with its ghastly burden, and were soon in
the crowded streets of London. High overhead the houses extended, each
story advancing beyond that below it until the occupiers of the attics
could well-nigh shake hands across. They soon left the more crowded
streets, and turning to the right, after ten minutes walking, the smith
stopped in front of a bowyer shop near Aldgate.

"This is the shop," he said, "and there is Giles Fletcher himself trying
the spring and pull of one of his bows. Here I will leave you, and will one