laying on blows as if on an anvil, I was parrying those that the
rest of the villains aimed at thee behind thy back; and that is
the cause thou sawest me not."

"I have heard of smiths of old time who had but one eye," said
Henry; "I have two, but they are both set in my forehead, and so
I could not see behind my back, neighbour."

"The truth is, however," persevered Master Oliver, "there I was,
and I will give Master Bailie my account of the matter; for the
smith and I were first up to the fray."

"Enough at present," said the bailie, waving to Master Proudfute
an injunction of silence. "The precognition of Simon Glover and
Henry Gow would bear out a matter less worthy of belief. And now,
my masters, your opinion what should be done. Here are all our
burgher rights broken through and insulted, and you may well fancy
that it is by some man of power, since no less dared have attempted
such an outrage. My masters, it is hard on flesh and blood to submit
to this. The laws have framed us of lower rank than the princes
and nobles, yet it is against reason to suppose that we will suffer
our houses to be broken into, and the honour of our women insulted,
without some redress."

"It is not to be endured!" answered the citizens, unanimously.

Here Simon Glover interfered with a very anxious and ominous
countenance. "I hope still that all was not meant so ill as it
seemed to us, my worthy neighbours; and I for one would cheerfully
forgive the alarm and disturbance to my poor house, providing the