All had been drinking, and one at least was very drunk.

He stumbled across the floor, and all but fell on Ringan in his chair.
"Hullo, old Square-Toes," he hiccupped; "what the devil are you ?" "Friend, thee is shaky on thy legs," said Ringan, in a mild voice, "It were well for thee to be in bed." "Bed," cried the roysterer; "no bed for me this night! Where is that damnable Scots packman ?" I rose very quietly, and lit another lamp.

Then I shut the window, and closed the shutters.

"Here I am," I said, "very much at your service, gentlemen." One or two of the sober ones looked a little embarrassed, but the leader, who I guessed was the youth from Gracedieu, was brave enough.
"The gentlemen of Virginia," he said loudly, "being resolved that the man Garvald is an offence to the dominion, have summoned the Free Companions to give him a lesson.

If he will sign a bond to leave the country within a month, we are instructed to be merciful.