As it was, there sounded a mighty roar of anger all about the barriers, and the crowd pressed so fiercely and threateningly that it was as much as the archers could do to keep them within reasonable bounds.
"Saints' mercy!" puffed stout Ninian Halliburton, "let us get out of this place.

I am near bursen.

Haud off there, varlet, ken ye not that I am a Bailie of Dumfries?
Keep your feet off the tail o' my brown velvet gown.

It cost nigh upon twenty silver shillings an ell!" "A Douglas! A Douglas! Treachery! Treachery!" yelled a wild Minnigaff man, thrusting a naked brand high into the air within an inch of the burgess's nose.

That worthy citizen almost fell backwards in dismay, and indeed must have done so but for the pressure of the crowd behind him.