death."

As he spoke thus, he dealt the stranger a blow with his weapon,
which would probably have made his words good, had not the man,
raising his arm, received on his hand the blow meant for his head.
The wound must have been a severe one, for he staggered and fell
with a deep groan.

Without noticing him farther, Henry Smith sprung forward upon
a party of men who seemed engaged in placing a ladder against the
lattice window in the gable. Henry did not stop ether to count their
numbers or to ascertain their purpose. But, crying the alarm word
of the town, and giving the signal at which the burghers were wont
to collect, he rushed on the night walkers, one of whom was in the
act of ascending the ladder. The smith seized it by the rounds,
threw it down on the pavement, and placing his foot on the body
of the man who had been mounting, prevented him from regaining his
feet. His accomplices struck fiercely at Henry, to extricate their
companion. But his mail coat stood him in good stead, and he repaid
their blows with interest, shouting aloud, "Help--help, for bonny
St. Johnston! Bows and blades, brave citizens! bows and blades!
they break into our houses under cloud of night."

These words, which resounded far through the streets, were accompanied
by as many fierce blows, dealt with good effect among those whom
the armourer assailed. In the mean time, the inhabitants of the
district began to awaken and appear on the street in their shirts,
with swords and targets, and some of them with torches. The assailants
now endeavoured to make their escape, which all of them effected
excepting the man who had been thrown down along with the ladder.