Simon being called upon to tell his tale, did so with obvious
embarrassment, which he imputed to a reluctance that the burgh
should be put in deadly feud with any one upon his account. It
was, he dared to say, a masking or revel on the part of the young
gallants about court; and the worst that might come of it would
be, that he would put iron stanchions on his daughter's window, in
case of such another frolic.

"Why, then, if this was a mere masking or mummery," said Craigdallie,
"our townsman, Harry of the Wind, did far wrong to cut off a
gentleman's hand for such a harmless pleasantry, and the town may
be brought to a heavy fine for it, unless we secure the person of
the mutilator."

"Our Lady forbid!" said the glover. "Did you know what I do,
you would be as much afraid of handling this matter as if it were
glowing iron. But, since you will needs put your fingers in the
fire, truth must be spoken. And come what will, I must say, that the
matter might have ended ill for me and mine, but for the opportune
assistance of Henry Gow, the armourer, well known to you all."

"And mine also was not awanting," said Oliver Proudfute, "though I
do not profess to be utterly so good a swordsman as our neighbour
Henry Gow. You saw me, neighbour Glover, at the beginning of the
fray?"

"I saw you after the end of it, neighbour," answered the glover,
drily.

"True--true; I had forgot you were in your house while the blows