Fair City were not brought into jeopardy for me. I beseech you to
consider who are to be our judges that are to hear the case, and
give or refuse redress. I speak among neighbours and friends, and
therefore I speak openly. The King, God bless him! is so broken
in mind and body, that he will but turn us over to some great
man amongst his counsellors who shall be in favour for the time.
Perchance he will refer us to his brother the Duke of Albany, who
will make our petition for righting of our wrongs the pretence for
squeezing money out of us."

"We will none of Albany for our judge!" answered the meeting with
the same unanimity as before.

"Or perhaps," added Simon, "he will bid the Duke of Rothsay take
charge of it; and the wild young prince will regard the outrage as
something for his gay companions to scoff at, and his minstrels to
turn into song."

"Away with Rothsay! he is too gay to be our judge," again exclaimed
the citizens.

Simon, emboldened by seeing he was reaching the point he aimed at,
yet pronouncing the dreaded name with a half whisper, next added,
"Would you like the Black Douglas better to deal with?"

There was no answer for a minute. They looked on each other with
fallen countenances and blanched lips.

But Henry Smith spoke out boldly, and in a decided voice, the
sentiments which all felt, but none else dared give words to: "The