wards and forwards, and a confusion among the mob, with snatches of
huzzas and laughter, that boded great mischief; and some of my friends
near me said to me no to be alarmed, which only alarmed me the more, as I
thought they surely had heard something. However, we drank our second
glass without any actual molestation; but when we gave the three cheers,
as the custom was, after the same, instead of being answered joyfully,
the mob set up a frightful yell, and, rolling like the waves of the sea,
came on us with such a shock, that the table, and punch-bowl, and
glasses, were couped and broken. Bailie Weezle, who was standing on the
opposite side, got his shins so ruffled by the falling of the table, that
he was for many a day after confined to the house with two sore legs; and
it was feared he would have been a lameter for life.

The dinging down of the table was the signal of the rebellious ring
leaders for open war. Immediately there was an outcry and a roaring,
that was a terrification to hear; and I know not how it was, but before
we kent where we were, I found myself with many of those who had been
drinking the king's health, once more in the council-chamber, where it
was proposed that we should read the riot act from the windows; and this
awful duty, by the nature of my office as provost, it behoved me to
perform. Nor did I shrink from it; for by this time my corruption was
raised, and I was determined not to let the royal authority be set at
nought in my hands.

Accordingly, Mr Keelivine, the town clerk, having searched out among his
law books for the riot act, one of the windows of the council-chamber was
opened, and the bell man having, with a loud voice, proclaimed the "O
yes!" three times, I stepped forward with the book in my hands. At the
sight of me, the rioters, in the most audacious manner, set up a
blasphemous laugh; but, instead of finding me daunted thereat, they were
surprised at my fortitude; and, when I began to read, they listened in
silence. But this was a concerted stratagem; for the moment that I had
ended, a dead cat came whizzing through the air like a comet, and gave me
such a clash in the face that I was knocked down to the floor, in the
middle of the very council-chamber. What ensued is neither to be told
nor described; some were for beating the fire-drum; others were for
arming ourselves with what weapons were in the tolbooth; but I deemed it
more congenial to the nature of the catas