“If you had seen how fiercely the gallant youth fought, you would have been sure there was no love between them,” laughed several shopkeepers triumphantly. “Who else helped him?” “Lieutenant Garnet, of the Royal Navy, Colonel, and a strong determined young man from the country; they call him Bob Bertram, Colonel.” “Were any of the assailants killed?” “Yes, a brave and gallant youth, who was the first to break through the barricaded gates.” “Any one else?” “Yes, Colonel, several other good citizens were killed or much injured in the fray.” “And where is this Ned Warbeck?” asked Colonel Blood, biting his lip. “I should like to see him; I wish to report the full particulars to the king.” “He has saved you that trouble most worthy Colonel,” said Tim, who was still in the crowd, “he has gone to the palace himself; as he did most of the fighting, he thought he had a good right to most of the honor and reward.” “And who are you that speak so boldly?” “I, sir, am Mr. Edward Warbeck’s groom—a faithful and brave servant, I have ever proved to be; and, although I say it, no man behaved more gallantly in the encounter than I did.” A general laugh followed this speech, and the crowd around tittered again with merriment. “And what did you do?” asked the colonel, with a smile. “Well, in the first place, most worthy sir, I made a most capital speech to the mob in order to stir them up, and excite them to deeds of valour. The best speech it was as ever I made in my life.” “And what then, my good fellow?” “Don’t believe him, colonel.” “He is telling a string of lies.” “A perfect coward, sir.” “As timid as a mouse, colonel,” said one and another, as they still laughed outright at Tim’s account of the affair. “On my word, most noble colonel, all I say is true.” “Well, go on then, I am listening. What part did you take?” “Well, sir, when the fight was at its highest, and when the smith, by not following my advice, got killed, I exhorted all to be more prudent, and to hide their heads well behind the palings and wood-work, for I could see that those devils called the Skeleton Crew were dead shots and knocked over every one they aimed at.” “Well?” “Oh, it was beautiful to see how they jumped out of the windows, and off the burning roof into the river,” said Master Tim, grinning and chuckling. “I dare say it was, but I didn’t ask for any description of that. I asked and still ask, what did you do, not see?” “Well, sir, when my master, Lieutenant Garnet, and Bob Bertram made their fierce attack upon the burning Block-House, and, followed by their gallant fellows, were fighting in the court-yard, in the passages, and other places, I—— Well—I—that is to say, most worthy colonel, because I couldn’t get near enough to engage in the combat myself—I——” “He stood on a door-step and looked on, colonel,” said a dozen voices at once.