The watchmen were mostly poor, old, worn-out men, who could do little or nothing to impose order upon these young braggarts.

Indeed, they were so often maltreated themselves, that they just as often as not kept carefully away when cries were raised for help.

But, having had their fun, the roisterers were ready to disperse themselves; for some of the citizens would rise in a white heat of rage, and take law into their own hands, in which case it happened that the disturbers of the peace came off second best.

One of them had seen Tom's tall figure and the sword in his hand as he ran beneath a lamp, and had fancied that some more determined rescue than that afforded by the watch was to be given.

So the band dispersed shouting and hooting; and Tom and Cale found them scattered ere they came up to them.
"But where is the woman ?" asked Tom, looking round; "they have not surely carried her off ?" "Oh no--only sent her rolling down the hill in a barrel!" panted Cale; "it is a favourite pastime with the youths of London town.
One party will put a barrel ready in yon doorway on purpose, and if it be not removed, it will like enough be used ere morning.