Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 10
General
Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 10
Scottish Borders (Scotland) -- Fiction
"They are both rebel Scots--serve them alike!" shouted a stout young
fellow, as he aimed a blow at me. The others joined in the cry. The blow
took effect upon the side of my head. I was stunned a little; but
returned it with so good effect that he staggered back a pace or two.
The blood flowed from my cheek, which was cut, pretty fast. In a moment
the shouting ceased, and "A ring! a ring!" was the cry. "Give the
Scottish sailor fair play--he has pluck in him." "Go it, Joe!" cried
others; and their attention was directed from the old man to me and my
opponent. A ring was formed. I gave my jacket and hat to the old man to
hold, and to it we went; but, tall as I was and stout, I was forced to
give in after a severe contest; my enemy's science prevailed; but my
object was attained. The old man and myself were no longer hated. "I was
a bit of good stuff," they said, "and had stood well up to fighting Joe
of Smithfield." Even Joe said he would give any one a beating who
molested us. We were conducted to a public-house, where I got myself
cleaned and my bruises dressed. The old gentleman gave me a thousand
thanks for the part I had taken in his rescue, and seemed to feel much
more for the injuries I had received than I did myself. As soon as we
had had some slight refreshment, he caused a coach to be brought, and
accompanied me to my lodgings. During our short drive, I learned that he
had only arrived from Holland the evening before, and was a stranger in
London. He said he had resided for the last ten years there; that he had
not been in Scotland for many years; and that he was on his way to it to
lay his bones in the graves of his fathers. There was a reservedness of
manner that interested me much in the man; and every time I looked to
him, I grew the more certain that his face had been familiar to me at
some former period of my life. Even his voice fell on my ear like some
well-known sound. Neither of us had inquired the name of the other. The
coach stopped at the door of my lodging, into which he assisted me; and
I immediately went to bed at his request, he promising to call upon me
in the morning.
After passing a restless night, I was awoke in the morning by my
landlady entering my room to inquire if I would see Lieutenant Speare,
the old gentleman who had accompanied me home the evening before.
Although I felt rather feverish, I replied that I would be glad to see
him. In a few minutes I was astonished to see him enter in an undress,
until he informed me that he had been so fortunate as to obtain a room
from my landlady; and, if I was agreeable, he wished to breakfast along
with me and spend the day, as I was not, he felt assured, in a state to
leave my room. I did not conceal that I felt very unwell, and would be
happy to have his company. After he was seated, I inquired by what
accident he had become involved with the rabble upon Tower Hill. After a
short pause--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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